Psychology of Learning/Studying

Schema

A mental framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information

Priming

the unconscious activation of certain associations, predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response

Selective Attention

the ability to focus on important information while ignoring irrelevant stimuli

Effortful Processing

Conscious and deliberate mental effort to process and retain information, crucial for learning and forming long-term memories

Encoding

the initial process of transforming sensory information into a form that can be stored in memory. This process involves converting external stimuli into mental representations

Retrieval Cues

Stimuli, thoughts, or sensations that help us access and retrieve information stored in long-term memory. These cues can be internal (e.g., emotions, thoughts) or external (e.g., sights, sounds, smells), and their effectiveness often depends on how well they match the original encoding context

Elaborative Rehearsal

A powerful memory strategy that involves making meaningful connections between new information and what you already know

Deep Processing

A cognitive process where information is processed in a meaningful way by relating it to existing knowledge and understanding, leading to stronger and more durable memory traces. This involves semantic encoding, focusing on the meaning of information rather than superficial characteristics

Cognitive Load

The total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory during a specific task

Chunking

A cognitive process by which individual pieces of information are grouped into larger, more meaningful units or "chunks," thereby increasing the capacity of short-term memory and facilitating deeper processing and recall

Sensation

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment, involving the initial detection and encoding of raw sensory information

Perception

The process by which individuals organize, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information to form a meaningful understanding of their environment

Spacing Effect

long-term memory is enhanced when learning events are spaced apart in time

Long-term Memory

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system, encompassing knowledge, skills, and experiences

Testing Effect

the phenomenon where retrieving information from memory enhances later retention and recall.

Motivation

Internal and external forces that stimulate desire and energy to achieve a goal

Extrinsic Motivation

behavior driven by external motivation (earning a good grade)

Intrinsic Motivation

behavior driven by internal motivation (personal satisfaction of mastering a concept)

Humanistic Approach

emphasizes conscious experience, personal growth, and inherent goodness of individuals

Overlearning

the practice of continuing to study or rehearse material even after achieving initial mastery

Context-Dependent Memory

where memory retrieval is enhanced when the environment context during recall is similar to the context in which the memory was originally formed

Self-Efficacy

an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task

Maintenance Rehearsal

the process of repeatedly reviewing information to keep it in short-term memory.