Everyday and Autobiographical Memory

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to everyday and autobiographical memory studied in PSYC5015.

Flashbulb Memories

Vivid, detailed memories of significant events, influenced by the circumstances surrounding how one heard about the event.

Schema

Cognitive frameworks that help organize and interpret information; they can lead to distortions in memory.

Misinformation Effect

The phenomenon in which a person's memory of an event is altered by misleading information presented after the event.

Autobiographical Memory

Memory for life events, which includes both episodic and semantic aspects.

Reconstructive Memory

A memory process where recalled memories are influenced by existing knowledge and beliefs.

Directive Function of AM

The aspect of autobiographical memory that allows individuals to learn from past experiences and make future plans.

Social Function of AM

The use of shared memories to build and maintain relationships and friendships.

Self Function of AM

The role of autobiographical memory in forming and maintaining a sense of self.

Reminiscence Bump

The phenomenon where individuals recall more memories from the ages of 15 to 30 than from other life periods.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which research findings generalize to real-world settings.

Everyday Memory

Memory of everyday experiences; focuses on how we remember routine life events.

False Memories

Memories that individuals believe to be true but are actually distorted or fabricated.

Memory Reconstruction

The process of piecing together memories that are not perfect records of experiences.

Serial Reproduction

A research method used to study memory where a story is repeatedly recalled and passed on, often resulting in distortions.

Episodic Memory

A type of autobiographical memory that involves specific events and experiences from one's life.

Semantic Memory

A type of autobiographical memory that includes facts and general knowledge.

Top-down Processing

Information processing that is guided by prior knowledge and expectations.

Bottom-up Processing

Information processing that begins with sensory input and builds up to a final perception.

Bartlett's War of the Ghosts

A study demonstrating how schemas can affect memory reconstruction, leading to systematic changes in recall.

Loftus and Palmer Study

Research showing that the wording of questions can influence eyewitness memory and the speed estimates of a car accident.

Elizabeth Loftus

A psychologist known for her work on the malleability of human memory and the misinformation effect.

Haque & Conway Study

Research investigating how memory types can vary in recall timing and how they manifest during short delays.

Naturalistic Experiments

Research methods that study behavior in real world settings rather than controlled environments.

Crovitz Task

A method for eliciting autobiographical memories by providing cue words.

Cognitive Model of AM

A theoretical framework demonstrating how autobiographical knowledge is structured and accessed in memory.

Event-specific Knowledge (ESK)

Detailed memories of specific experiences that serve as the most specific layer in the hierarchy of autobiographical memories.

Lifetime Periods

Broad categories in autobiographical memory that help structure and recall significant life events.

Ecological Validity

The degree to which findings from research can be generalized to real-world situations.

False Feedback

Misleading information given to participants that influences their subsequent beliefs or behaviors.

Directive Function Examples

Learning lessons from past experiences to inform future actions or decisions.

Social Function Examples

Sharing memories with others to enhance communication and relationship building.

Self Function Examples

Using memories to understand one’s identity and personal growth over time.

Memory Sharing

The act of remembering and discussing past events with others to foster relationships.

Event Memory

Memories derived from specific events that are experienced personally.

Introspection

Self-examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings, often used in self-reports on memory.

Constructive Memory

The process where memories are shaped and modified by individual interpretations.

Memory Distortions

Changes or inaccuracies in memory that occur during the encoding, storage, or retrieval processes.

Perceived Distance

The subjective appraisal of how long ago an event occurred, often influenced by the nature of the memory.

Cognitive Priming

The enhancement of memory retrieval when prior exposure to related stimuli makes it easier to remember later.

Life Scripts

Cultural narratives that provide a structure for how one perceives and organizes life events.

Significant Memory

A memory that has lasting impact or importance on an individual's life choices and identity.

Nostalgia

A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.

Alzheimer's Disease

A neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.

Memory for Everyday Objects Study

Research showing significant inaccuracies in memory recall for common objects.

Constructive Memory Distortions Example

Changing a memory detail to make it fit better with a person’s understanding or current knowledge.