Psychology Chapter 8 - Memory

Memory

the set of processes used to encode, store and retrieve information over different periods of time

Encoding

the input of information into the memory system

Automatic processing

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

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

Semantic Encoding

the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words

Visual Encoding

the encoding of picture images

Acoustic encoding

the encoding of sound, especially the sound of words

self-reference effect

tendency to better remember information relevant to ourselves

Storage

the creation of a permanent record of information

Sensory Memory

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

short-term memory

activated memory that holds a few items briefly, 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.

Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory

Stroop Effect

Explains the decreased speed of naming the color of ink used to print words when the color of ink and the word itself are of different colors.

Rehearsal

the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage

Memory consolidation

the neural storage of a long-term memory

Explicit memories

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

Implicit memories

retention independent of conscious recollection

procedural memory

the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of practice, or "knowing how" to do things

Declarative memory

the cognitive information retrieved from explicit memory; knowledge that can be declared

Semantic Memory

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

Episodic Memory

the collection of past personal experiences that occurred at a particular time and place

Retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Recognition

the ability to match a piece of information or a stimulus to a stored image or fact

Relearning

learning information that was previously learned

Engram

the group of neurons that serve as the "physical representation of memory"

equipotentiality hypothesis

if part of one area of the brain involved in memory is damaged, another part of the same area can take over that memory function

Amygdala

regulates emotions such as fear and aggression. Storage is influenced by stress hormones

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls implicit memories.

neurotransmitter

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

arousal theory

stronger emotions trigger stronger memories, and weaker emotions form weaker memories

flashbulb memory

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

Amnesia

loss of memory

anterograde amnesia

an inability to form new memories

Retrograde amnesia

an inability to retrieve information from one's past

Memory construction

Occurs during retrieval. Memory is a construct of the mind and therefore can be updated with new info and experiences.

Memory reconstruction

Remembering past events and features of these events and putting them together during memory recall.

Suggestibility

the tendency to incorporate misleading information from external sources into personal recollections

Elizabeth Smart

FBI didn't want to corrupt a girl's memories in order to find her sister

misinformation effect paradigm

after exposure to incorrect information, a person may misremember the original event

false memory syndrome

recall of false autobiographical memories

Forgetting

the inability to retrieve memory from long-term storage

Transience

forgetting over time

Absentmindedness

a lapse in attention that results in memory failure

Blocking

Accessibility of information is temporarily blocked

Misattribution

Source of memory is confused

Bias

Memories are distorted by current belief system

Persistence

Inability to forget undesirable memories

Ebbinghaus

created the forgetting curve and serial position effect in memory

persistence

the intrusive recollection of events that we wish we could forget

Proactive inferference

the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information

retroactive interference

the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information

Chunking

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

elaborative rehearsal

a method of transferring information from STM into LTM by making that information meaningful in some way

mneumonic devices

strategies for enhancing memory