AP Psych Memory in

Memory

The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.

Recall

Retrieving information without cues, such as answering a fill-in-the-blank question.

Recognition

Identifying previously learned information with cues, like answering a multiple-choice question.

Relearning

Learning something more quickly when you study it again, such as reviewing a language you haven't spoken in years.

Long-term memory capacity

Essentially unlimited; relates to the storage of information for extended periods.

Retrieval

The process of bringing stored information into conscious awareness.

Short-term memory capacity

Capacity of 7 ± 2 items as defined by Miller’s Law.

Working memory

A system for temporarily holding and manipulating information necessary for cognitive tasks.

Parallel processing

The brain's ability to process multiple aspects of information simultaneously.

LTP (Long-Term Potentiation)

A process that strengthens neural connections, improving memory formation.

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as time and space.

Effortful processing

Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

Iconic memory

A type of visual sensory memory that lasts a few tenths of a second.

Echoic memory

Auditory sensory memory that lasts about 3–4 seconds.

Sperling study

Demonstrated that sensory memory holds large amounts of information but only briefly.

Spacing effect

The phenomenon whereby information is better retained when learned over time.

Massed study (cramming)

Learning all at once, often resulting in poorer long-term retention.

Mnemonic

Memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational techniques.

Semantic encoding

Encoding based on the meaning of words, often enhanced by the self-reference effect.

Hippocampus

A brain region responsible for processing explicit (declarative) memories.

Cerebellum

A brain region involved in storing implicit memories and conditioned associations.

Serial position effect

The tendency to remember the first and last items in a list better than the middle ones.

Priming

The activation of certain associations in memory, often unconsciously.

Context effects

Improved retrieval when the encoding and retrieval contexts are the same.

State-dependent memory

Better memory recall when in the same state of consciousness as during encoding.

Mood-congruent memory

The tendency to recall memories that match one's current mood.

Encoding failure

When information fails to enter long-term memory due to lack of attention.

Ebbinghaus—storage decay theory

The idea that memories fade over time if not rehearsed.

Retrieval failure

The inability to access stored information due to competing information.

Proactive interference

Old information interferes with learning new information.

Retroactive interference

New information disrupts the recall of old information.

Motivated forgetting

The process of forgetting unwanted memories either consciously or unconsciously.

Retrograde amnesia

The inability to recall past memories.

Anterograde amnesia

The inability to form new memories.

Repression

The controversial concept that traumatic memories may be unconsciously forgotten.

Misinformation effect

When misleading information distorts memory and recall accuracy.

Source amnesia

Forgetting where or how information was acquired, leading to false memories.

Memory reconstruction

The process through which memories are reconstructed and can be influenced by biases.