Cognition

Encode

Label incoming sensory data.

Storage

Retention of encoded material.

Retrieval

Locate and recover memory when needed.

Sensory memory

Filters/screens incoming sensory data to keep (label & store).

Working memory

Short term memory; lasts 20 seconds (in the moment); connection between sensory & long term.

Chunking

Frees up space by grouping data; typically 7 slots.

Long term memory

Stuff that happened in the past (over a minute ago).

Sperling experiment

Flashed a diagram with random letters for a second, then asked the participant what they saw.

Echoic memory

Auditory data/impression; part of sensory memory.

Iconic memory

Visual impression/data.

Maintenance rehearsal

Repeat information to keep it from fading.

Elaborative rehearsal

Connected to stored knowledge.

Procedural memory

Things that we know how to do.

Declarative memory

Things we know how to describe.

Episodic memory

Your general knowledge/perspective.

Semantic memory

Overall general knowledge.

Retrieval cues

Stimuli that prompt the activation of long term memories.

Recall

Strong memory of something.

Recognition

Vague memory of something.

Eidetic memory

Vibrant brief flashes of memory.

Hyperthymesia

Photographic memory; remembering everything forever; very rare.

Prospective memory

Remembering to do something in the future.

Automatic memory

Thinking that doesn't require much conscious thought.

Effortful memory

Consciously trying to remember something.

Structural processing

Looks like.

Phonemic processing

Sounds like.

Semantic processing

Seems like.

Shallow processing

Weaker memories.

Deep processing

Stronger memories.

Semantic encoding

Actually understanding a concept.

Long term potentiation

Persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Flashbulb memory

Exceptionally clear recollection of an important emotionally-packed event.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to retain new memories.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to recall old memories.

Infantile amnesia

Lack of memories before the age of 3.

HM case study

Patient who underwent brain surgery resulting in anterograde amnesia, forgetting things within 5 minutes.

Upside down star study

Study showing HM improved at drawing stars despite not recalling the activity.

Proactive interference

When old info interferes with new info.

Retroactive interference

When new info interferes with old info.

Tip of the tongue phenomenon

Poor match between retrieval cue and encoding.

Context effect

Setting influences your memory.

Mood-congruence memory

Being in the same physiological state as the memory that was made.

State-dependent memory

Remembering information that aligns with your current mental state.

Misinformation effect

When something else influences your recall.

Source amnesia

When the origin of a memory is unclear.

Constructive memory

The brain trying to construct a memory based on bits and pieces.

Memory consolidation

Hippocampus processes new memories and files them away during REM sleep; memory may be altered upon recall.

Imagination inflation

The more you fantasize about an event, the more you think it actually occurred.

Initial exposure effect

Initial exposure to a certain stimulus affects later exposure to another stimulus.

Psychodynamic theory

Shoving things into the subconscious can cause mental issues.

Psychoanalytic therapy

Need to clear 'garbage can'; involves talk therapy and hypnosis.

Serial position effect

The sequence influences what you remember.

Massed practice

Spending a large amount of time on a big topic instead of spacing it out.

Distributed practice

Focusing on a topic bit by bit over a long stretch of time.

Mnemonic devices

Methods for encoding info to be remembered by associating it with known information.

Method of loci

Associating items in a room with objects or concepts to aid memory.

Peg word mnemonic

Two objects interacting with each other to aid memory.

Testing effect

Practicing something enough to strengthen its recall.

Metacognition

Thinking about the concept of thinking and trying to improve it.

Forgetting curve

How quickly memories are forgotten after initial exposure.

Loftus research

Study on false memories and eyewitness testimony.

Repressed memories

Shoving distressing memories into the unconscious.