2.7 forgetting and other memory challenges

the forgetting curve

A model for memory retention, in which retention drops quickly at first but then levels off over time

encoding failure

When information is never fully processed into long-term storage

proactive interference

The forward-acting disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information

retroactive interference

The backwards-acting disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information

tip of the tongue phenomenon

Information that you remember as having encoded but that you cannot retrieve in the moment

ego

In psychodynamic theory, the concept of our conscious selves

repression

In psychodynamic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

misinformation effect

Incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event

memory reconsolidation

A process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again

source amnesia

Attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined (also called source misattribution)

imagination inflation

When false memories are incorporated into real ones, often as a way of adding richer details into our memories of events

deja vu

That eerie sense that “I’ve experienced this before.” Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience.