Topic 6: Memory

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the stages of memory, types of long-term and working memory, retrieval cues, forgetting, and memory dysfunctions based on the lecture notes.

Memory

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

Encoding

The initial recording of information.

Storage

Information saved for future use.

Retrieval

The recovery of stored information.

Sensory memory

The initial, momentary storage of information that lasts only an instant.

Iconic memory

Reflects information from the visual system.

Echoic memory

Stores auditory information from the sensory surroundings.

Short-Term Memory

A memory stage where information is forgotten typically within $15$ to $25$ seconds.

Working memory

A memory system that holds information for $15-25$ seconds and stores it according to meaning rather than sensory stimulation while actively manipulating it.

Chunking

The grouping of information that can be stored in working memory, such as a telephone number or acronym.

Rehearsal

The repetition of information that has entered short-term memory, allowing for potential transfer to long-term memory.

Elaborative rehearsal

A process where information is considered and organized by giving it meaning, such as making material personally meaningful or using a memory trick like PEMDAS.

Mnemonics

Organizing information in a way that makes it more likely to be remembered, such as using the acronym SA/ME.

Central executive processor

A component of working memory involved in reasoning, decision making, and coordinating material.

Visual store

A component of working memory that handles visual and spatial material.

Verbal store

A component of working memory that handles speech, words, and numbers.

Episodic buffer

A component of working memory that handles episodes or occurrences.

Miller's Magic Number

The capacity of working memory, defined as $7 ± 2$.

Long-term memory

A storehouse of almost unlimited capacity that stores information on a relatively permanent basis.

Pracy effect

The phenomenon where the ability to recall information in a list depends on its appearance at the beginning of the list.

Recency effect

The phenomenon where the ability to recall information in a list depends on its appearance at the end of the list.

Declarative memory

An explicit memory system for factual information, such as the fact that George Washington was the first president.

Semantic memory

A type of declarative memory for general knowledge and facts, such as definitions or that George Washington wore a wig.

Episodic memory

A type of declarative memory for personal knowledge and events, such as remembering a visit to Mount Vernon.

Procedural memory

An implicit memory system for skills and habits, such as riding a bicycle or muscle memory activities.

Semantic networks

Mental representations of clusters of interconnected information and neural pathways.

Spreading activation

The process where activating one memory triggers the activation of related memories.

Engram

A physical memory trace in the brain that corresponds to a memory.

Hippocampus

A part of the limbic system that plays a role in memory consolidation, including formation and storage.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system involved with emotional memory and processing.

Long-term potentiation

The process where certain neural pathways become easily excited while a new response is being learned.

Consolidation

The process by which memories become fixed and stable in long-term memory.

Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

The inability to recall information that one realizes they know.

Recall

Retrieving a specific piece of information from memory storage without any external cues.

Recognition

Occurs when one is presented with a stimulus they have already been exposed to and can identify it.

Levels of processing

A theory that emphasizes whether material is analyzed at a shallow level (physical and sensory aspects) or at the deepest level (meaning).

Context-dependent learning

A type of retrieval influenced by physical surroundings.

State-dependent learning

A type of retrieval influenced by an individual's psychological state.

Flashbulb memories

Memories of clear, vivid imagery related to a specific, important, or surprising emotionally significant event.

Source amnesia

Occurs when an individual remembers material but cannot recall where or when they encountered it.

Schemas

Organized bodies of information in memory that influence how new information is interpreted, stored, and recalled.

Autobiographical memory

The recollection of our own life experiences.

Hyperthymesia

Also known as highly superior autobiographical memory, it is the ability to possess perfect autobiographical memory.

Decay

The loss of information through nonuse, typically characterized by information that was in short-term memory but not long-term.

Memory traces

Physical changes that take place in the brain when new material is learned.

Interference

A phenomenon where information in memory disrupts the recall of other information.

Cue-dependent forgetting

Forgetting that occurs when there are insufficient retrieval cues to rekindle info in memory.

Proactive interference

When information learned earlier disrupts the recall of newer information, such as giving an old zip code after moving.

Retroactive interference

When newer information disrupts the retrieval of earlier learned information, such as forgetting a Japanese word because a newly learned Korean word comes to mind.

Alzheimer’s disease

A progressive brain disorder leading to a gradual and irreversible decline in cognitive and mental abilities.

Amnesia

Memory loss that occurs without other cognitive or mental difficulties.

Retrograde amnesia

Memory loss for occurrences prior to a certain event but not for new events.

Anterograde amnesia

Memory loss for events that follow an injury.

Korsakoff’s syndrome

A memory dysfunction common in long-term alcoholics that includes hallucinations.