Psyc- Memory (ch8) & theories of personality (ch14)

explicit memory

concious, intentional recollection of an event of item of information

recall

the ability to retrieve and reproduce from memory previously learned

recognition

the ability to identify previously learned material when encountered

implicit memory

recalling info that we do not consciously memorize; unconscious memory

priming

reading or listening to info and tested later to see whether it affects performence of different tasks

Information Processing Model

encoding → storage → retrieval

Parallel Distributing Processing (PDP) or Connectionist model

knowledge is represented as connections of thousands of interacting units

The 3 Box Model

1. sensory register: fleeting impressions → a memory structure that momentarily preserves accurate images of sensory info (visual-1/2 secs) (auditory 2 sec)

   1. if not passed to short-term memory it is gone forever

2. working memory: memory’s notepad → form of short term memory; limited capacity and is involved in brief retention of info

   1. holds info retrieved from long term memory for a task; 30 sec & 7+or-2

3. Long-term memory: memory storage system → info is stored long term; unlimited capacity and organized in semantic categories

Serial Positioning Effect

recall of first & last items on a list surpasses recall of items in the middle

Mnemonics

strategies and tricks for improving memory such as the use of a verse or formula

maintenance rhersal

role repetition in order to maintain its availability in memory  

elaborative rehearsal

associating new info w/ old knowledge and analysis of info to make it memorable

decay theroy

info in memory eventually disappears if it is not accessed (short-term not lt)

replacement

theory that new info entering our memory can wipe out old info

interference

similar item interfere with one another

retroactive interference

recently learned material interferes with similar old information

proactive interference

previously learned information interferes with ability to remember newly learned info

cue-dependent forgetting

inability to retrieve info stored in memory bc of insufficient recall cues

state dependent memory

tendency to remember things when in same mental or physical state when u experience or learned it

source misattribution

inability to distinguish an actual memory of an event from info you learned about the event elsewhere

flashbulb memory

involve surprise/shock; seemingly vivid wit photographic detail; aren’t always reliable

personality

distinctive and relatively stable pattern of behaviors, thoughts, motives, and emotions that characterizes an individual

trait

characteristics of an individual, describing a habitual way of behaving, thinking, and feeling

temperament

habitual way of responding to the environment

Structure of Personality

Id, ego, supergo

Id

operates according to pleasure principle; first to develop and completely in unconsciousness; sexual instincts (libido) & aggressive instincts (thanatos) 

ego

operates according to reality principle; represents reason, good sense and rational self control

superego

operates according to morality principle; represent conscience, morality, and social standard

defense mechanisms

methods used by ego to prevent unconscious anxiety or threatening thoughts from entering consciousness

repression 

pushing back unacceptable Id impulses into your deep consciousness 

projection

unacceptable Id impulses are unconsciously attributed to another person

displacement

unacceptable Id impulses are redirected from its orginal target to a less threatening one

regression

going back to an earlier developmental stage (i.e. tantrum)

denial 

deny the problem or these id impulses

Freud’s stages of psycosexual development

1. Oral: first years of life

2. Anal: 2-3 years old

   1. expulsive v retentive

3. Phallic: 2-5 years old

   1. Elektra complex (girls) v Oedipal conflict (boys)

4. Latency: 6-12 years

   1. little impulses → school and development of friendships and confidence

5. Genital: adolescence through adulthood

   1. adult sexuality’

*fixation occurs if stages not resolved successfully

Cardinal Traits

a single personality trait that directs most of your aci

Central Traits

a set of major characteristics that comprise the core of your personality; character traitsSe

Secondary Traits

more changeable aspects of personality

“Big 5 Traits”

1. extroversion v introversion

2. neuroticism (negative emotions) v emotional stability

3. agreeableness v antagonism

4. conscientiousness v impulsivity

5. openness to experience v resistance to new experience