LTM: Encoding, Retrieval, and Consolidation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to long-term memory, including encoding, retrieval, consolidation, and reconsolidation processes.

Encoding

The acquisition and transfer of information into LTM.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Processing information based on meaning or connections to other information often results in encoding.

Maintenance Rehearsal

Often used to keep information in STM but it is not effective at encoding (transferring to LTM).

Levels of Processing Theory

The extent of processing an item (depth of processing) will determine its likelihood of being remembered.

Generation effect

Participants are better able to recall word pairs if they generated the second word in the pair than if they merely read the word pairs.

Retrieval cue

Stimulus that helps one recall information

Testing Effect

Routine testing results in better performance.

Spacing effect

Better memory when studying during short sessions than cramming.

Familiarity effect

Recognition of material does not mean one comprehends the material.

Free recall

Participants recall information.

Cued Recall

Participants are provided with retrieval cues to help with recall. Better performance than free recall.

Principle of Encoding Specificity

We encode information and its context. Successful retrieval is dependent on how much the conditions at encoding matches conditions at retrieval.

Transfer-Appropriate Processing

Successful task performance is dependent on whether the cognitive processes during encoding is transferred to the retrieval stage, and appropriate for current responding.

Consolidation

Process of making memories resistant to disruption.

Synaptic consolidation

Changes at the level of synapses within minutes to hours. Results in long-term potentiation (LTP) the strengthening of synaptic transmission.

Systems consolidation

Neural circuits involving the hippocampus and cortex are reorganized over months to years.

Graded amnesia

Memory loss for events that occurred further in the past relative to the time of injury suggests that these memories had more time for cortical connections to strengthen making the memory trace more resistant to disruption.

Reconsolidation

Memory is fragile after it is retrieved and thus, requires that it is consolidated again. During the process of reconsolidation, the memory can be modified or eliminated.