memory

Memory

the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information

Encoding

the processing of information into the memory system

Storage

the process of retaining encoded information over time

Retrieval

the process of bringing to mind information that has been previously encoded and stored

Multi-Store Model

Explanation of memory that sees information flowing through a series of storage systems: sensory, short term, and long term.

Sensory Memory

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

Iconic Memory

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

Echoic Memory

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds

Short-Term Memory

activated memory that holds a few items for around 15-30 seconds, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten

Long-Term Memory

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

Working Memory

Processes newly acquired information and connects it to long-term information

central executive

The part of working memory responsible for monitoring and directing attention and other mental resources; consists of the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad.

Phonological Loop

the part of working memory that holds and processes verbal and auditory information

visuospatial sketchpad

A component of working memory where we create mental images to remember visual and spatial information

Long-Term Potentiation

an increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

Effortful Processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

automatic processing

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings

Levels of Processing Model

model of memory that assumes information that is more "deeply processed," or processed according to its meaning rather than just the sound or physical characteristics of the word or words

shallow encoding

encoding based on sensory characteristics, such as how something looks or sounds

Structural/Phonemic

Encoding a word based off of how it sounds or how it looks

deep encoding

Encoding based off of the meaning of words; leads to the best retention

Chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

Categories

networks of associated memories that have features in common with each other

Hierarchies (Groups)

Broad categories of memory that branch down and become more specific, making retrieval easier.

mnemonics

memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices

Explicit Memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

Semantic Memory

a network of associated facts and concepts that make up our general knowledge of the world

episodic memeory

Explicit memory that is a personal recollection of personal experiences

autobiographical memory

a special form of episodic memory, consisting of a person's recollections of his or her life experiences

implicit memory

Type of memory that does not require conscious thought

procedural memory

Type of implicit memory that recalls how to perform skills automatically that initially required deep thought.

prospective memory

remembering to do things in the future

massed practice (cramming)

allows for fast initial learning of information. However, much of the information learned through massed practice will probably not be transferred into long term memory, and it will be forgotten

Spacing Effect

the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

Maintenance Rehersal

repeating something over and over again until it is memorized

Elaborative rehearsal

the linking of new information to material that is already known

Retrieval Cues

Stimuli that are used to bring a memory to consciousness or into behavior

recall

A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier without help from cues.

Recognition

a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test

Context-Dependent Memory

The theory that information learned in a particular situation or place is better remembered when in that same situation or place.

State-Dependent Memory

The theory that information learned in a particular state of mind (e.g., depressed, happy, somber) is more easily recalled when in that same state of mind.

Mood-Congruent Memory

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood

Serial Position Effect

our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list

Primacy Effect

tendency to remember words at the beginning of a list especially well

Recency Effect

tendency to remember words at the end of a list especially well

Testing Effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information

Metacognition

awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

The Forgetting Curve

A graph showing retention and forgetting over time with no attempt to retain it. It drops quicker in the first few days and gradually declines over time.

Encoding Failure

the inability to recall specific information because it was never processed well in the first place

Proactive Interference

When information that is already learned makes it harder to learn new information

retroactive interference

Learning new information making it harder to recall information that was already learned.

tip of the tongue phenomenon

the temporary inability to remember something you know, accompanied by a feeling that it's just out of reach

Source Amnesia

attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. However the info about what happened is still in tact

Anterograde Amnesia

an inability to form new memories

retrograde amnesia

an inability to retrieve information from one's past

Infantile Amensia

the inability to remember events from early childhood, specifically before age three

Alzheimer's disease

a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning

Repression

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

Constructive Memory

memory that utilizes knowledge and expectations to fill in the missing details in retrieved memory traces

misinformation effect

when misleading information has corrupted one's memory of an event

structural processing

Words are learnt by remembering their physical features, such as whether they were in upper or lower case, started with a vowel or consonant, or were long or short.

phonemic processing

remembering the word by the way it sounds

semantic processing

Words are encoded by their meaning, which allows them to be connected to our past memories to help them be remembered better.