Psychology - Memory

Memory

The process by which we encode, store, and retrieve information

Mnemonic Devices

tricks used to help us remember things

Flashbulb Memories

a vivid memory about an emotionally significant event (important, surprising, exciting, and or scary)

Sensory Memory

the very first stage of memory; the initial stage of information that lasts just a fraction of a second

Short-Term Memory (STM)

the memory system in which information is held for brief periods while being used

Chunks

a meaningful grouping of stimuli that can be stored as a unit in short term memory

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

memory that stores information on a relatively permanent basis, although it may be sometimes difficult to retrieve

Implicit (Procedural) Memory

memories you unconsciously retrieve from long term memory, could be physical skill, behavior or habits we’ve mastered; preform the task without consciously thinking about it

Explicit (Declarative) Memory

consciously retrieve information from long term memory; recalling facts and/or events

Short-Term Memory Loss

forgetting information to which the subject has been recently exposed

Retrograde Amnesia

memories are lost prior to a certain event

Anterograde Amnesia

the inability to form any new memories

Semantic Memory

memory for things like facts about the world, general knowledge, language, stuff you learn in school

Episodic/Autobiographical Memory

memory of life experiences

Ebbinghaus Theory: Systematic Forgetting

the most rapid forgetting occurs in the first 9 hours after learning something new

Decay

information lost through non-use

Proactive Interference

when old memories disrupt or interfere with the retrieval of new memories

Retroactive Interference

new memories disrupt the retrieval and maintenance of old memories