Memory and Cognition (49)

Encoding

Turning info into memory

Ex: studying vocabulary

Storage

Retaining info

Ex: remembering notes overnight

Retrieval

Getting info out

Ex: recalling answer on test

Sensory memory

Brief sensory storage

Ex: remembering sparkler trail

Short term memory

Temporary limited storage

Ex: remembering phone number briefly

Working memory

Active processing

Ex: doing math in head

Long term memory

Permanent storage

Ex: remembering childhood home

Explicit memory

Conscious recall

Ex: remembering history facts

Implicit memory

Unconscious memory

Ex: riding a bike

Episodic memory

Personal events

Ex: birthday party

Semantic memory

Facts/knowledge

Ex: capital of France

Procedural memory

Skills

Ex: typing on keyboard

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding

Ex: remembering route home

Effortful memory

Conscious encoding

Ex: memorizing vocabulary

Chunking

Grouping info

Ex: 524316 —> 123 456

Mnemonics

Memory aids

Ex: ROYGBIV

Imagery

Visual encoding

Ex: picture to remember word

Spacing effect

Distributed studying better

Ex: study over days

Testing effect

Retrieval improves memory

Ex: practice quizzes

Forgetting curve

Slow, then fast forgetting

Ex: forgetting notes quickly

Proactive interference

Old blocks new

Ex: old password interferes

Retroactive interference

New blocks old

Ex: new password, forgot old

Encoding failure

Info never stored

Ex: coin date

Retrieval failure

Can’t access memory

Ex: tip-of-the tongue

Misinformation effect

False memory from info

Ex: leading question changes memory

Source amnesia

Forget origin

Ex: forgot where hard fact

Hippocampus

Forms new memories

Ex: learning names

Amygdala

Emotion strengthens memory

Ex: remembering scary event

Long term potential

Strengthened neural connections

Ex: repeated studying = stronger memory

Cognition

Thinking/knowing

Ex: solving problem

Concept

Mental category

Ex: animal vs bug

Prototype

Best example

Ex: animal = human

Algorithm

Step-by step method

Ex: math formula steps

Heuristic

Quick mental shortcut

Ex: guessing answer quickly

Availability heuristic

Judgment by recall ease

Ex: fear of plans after news crash

Representativeness heuristic

Judgment by similarity

Ex: firefighter = brave

Mental set

Stuck using old method

Ex: same math strategy always

Functional fixedness

Can’t see new uses

Ex: box only as container

Confirmation bias

Seek only supporting info

Ex: only reading agreeing articles

Overconfidence bias

Overestimate accuracy

Ex: “This IS right”

Belief perseverance

Keep belief despite evidence

Ex: still believe rumor

Phoneme

Smallest sound unit

Ex: “b” sound

Morpheme

Smallest meaning unit

Ex: “-un” prefix

Syntax

Grammar rules order

Ex: “Dog bites man”

Grammar rules

Language rules

Ex: sentence structure

Babbling stage

Random sounds

Ex: “babababa”

One-word stage

Single words

Ex: “Mama!”

Telegraphic stage

Short phrases

Ex: “Want cookie”

Linguistic determinism

Language shapes thought

Ex: words influence perception