PSY4313, Chapter 5: Long-Term Memory

long-term memory

high-capacity storage for lifetime memories and knowledge, activated through rehearsal & encoding

working memory

short-term memory for currently processes information

three types of long-term memory

episodic, semantic, procedural memory

episodic memory

memory of personal experiences, specific to the person; ex: details from your high school graduation

semantic memory

knowledge about the world, facts, definitions, learned from formal education; ex: knowledge that Paris is the capital of France

procedural memory

memory of how to perform tasks, step-by-step process; ex: knowing how to ride a bicycle

encoding

process of converting information into memory, storing information from the environment

levels of processing theory

by Craik and Lockhart, 1972; deep and shallow processing

deep processing

focusing on meaning improves recall; what it means; encoding is achieved more, better retrieval (semantic)

shallow processing

focusing on superficial features; how it works; only in the structure (structural)

distinctiveness

unique items are easier to remember; factor influencing encoding

elaboration

connecting new knowledge with existing information; factor influencing encoding

encoding-specificity principle

recall is better when the retrieval context matches the encoding context; ex: studying in a quiet room, helps retrieval in actual exam

retrieval

accessing stored information from memory

explicit memory

conscious recollection, when given a prompt

implicit memory

unconscious memory influencing behavior, automatic, already know

retrograde amnesia

inability to recall events before the onset

anterograde amnesia

inability to form new memories post-onset

autobiographical memory

memory for personal experiences; similar to episodic memory

schemas

mental frameworks for organizing information

consistency bias

tendency to reconstruct the past to fit current beliefs; calibrating past experiences to accommodate the present

flashbulb memories

vivid memories of emotional events; ex: trauma/fear from disasters; confidence does not ensure accuracy over time

misinformation effect

misremembering due to post-event details; challenges eyewitness testimony

factors affecting accuracy

stress (high stress situation), time delay (longer recall delay), social pressure (conformity)

expertise and memory

experts remember relevant information more effectively based on their respective fields

emotions and memory

emotional events are better remembered; emotional investments

recovered vs false memories

controversies surrounding recalled childhood traumas and the risk of false memories; traumatic events affects and increase the risk of false memories