Memory

Memory

Learning that persists over time; the process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved.

Encoding

The process of getting information into our memories.

Storage

The retention of information for future use.

Retrieval

The act of recovering stored information.

Recall

The ability to access information without cues or prompts.

Recognition

The ability to identify previously encountered information.

Sensory Memory

The stage of memory that holds incoming sensory information for a very brief period, typically 1-2 seconds.

Short-term Memory (STM)

A stage of memory that actively processes and temporarily stores information, typically lasting about 15-30 seconds.

Long-term Memory (LTM)

The stage of memory that stores information for an extended duration of time and has an unlimited capacity.

Explicit Memory

Conscious, easily described memories, such as facts and autobiographical events.

Implicit Memory

Non-declarative memory that does not require conscious recall, including skills and conditioned responses.

Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve

A graph that shows the decline of memory retention over time, illustrating how quickly information is forgotten.

Decay Theory

The theory that memory fades over time if it is not accessed or used.

Retroactive Interference

When new information interferes with the recall of old information.

Proactive Interference

When old information interferes with the recall of new information.

Flashbulb Memories

Vivid, detailed memories of emotionally significant events.

Amnesia

A condition characterized by difficulty in retrieving old memories or forming new ones.

Retrograde Amnesia

A type of amnesia where there is difficulty retrieving old memories.

Anterograde Amnesia

A type of amnesia where there is difficulty forming new memories.

Source Amnesia

The inability to remember the origin of previously stored memories.

Spacing of Practice

Breaking study or practice into short sessions over time to enhance memory retention.

Misinformation Effect

When misleading information presented after an event alters the memory of that event.

Serial Position Effect

The phenomenon where items at the beginning and end of a list are easier to recall than those in the middle.

Encoding Specificity

The principle that memory performance is enhanced when the encoding and retrieval contexts are similar.

What is Spacing of Practice?

Spacing of Practice refers to breaking study or practice into short sessions over time to enhance memory retention.

Why is Spacing of Practice effective?

It is effective because it allows time for the information to be consolidated in long-term memory, reducing the likelihood of forgetting.

What is Source Amnesia?

Source Amnesia is the inability to remember the origin of previously stored memories.

How does Source Amnesia affect recall?

It can lead to confusion about where, when, or how information was acquired, potentially resulting in inaccuracies.

What is Memory Distortion?

Memory Distortion refers to the alterations or inaccuracies in a person's recollection of an event.

What causes Memory Distortion?

It can be caused by various factors, including the suggestions or misleading information encountered after the event.

What is an example of Memory Distortion?

An example is the Misinformation Effect, where misleading information presented after an event alters the memory of that event.