Cognitive Psychology- Exam 2 PT.3

PT.3

What determines working memory capacity? 

Individual differences in attentional control and ability to coordinate multiple tasks; typically 3–5 chunks of information. 

What is Eysenck et al.’s (2007) Attentional Control Theory? 

Suggests anxiety impairs the efficiency of the central executive by diverting attention to threat-related thoughts, reducing working memory capacity. 

What are the effects of anxiety on working memory? 

Reduced attentional control, slower task performance, and difficulty inhibiting irrelevant information. 

What evidence supports Attentional Control Theory? 

Studies show anxious individuals perform worse on dual-task and complex-span memory tasks; they show attentional bias toward threat-related stimuli

What are the conclusions of Eysenck et al. (2007)

Anxiety doesn’t reduce processing capacity itself but reallocates attention, impairing executive functioning and working memory efficiency.

What are the three processes of memory? 

1. Encoding: Transforming information into a form that can be stored. 

2. Storage: Maintaining information over time. 

3. Retrieval: Accessing and using stored information. 

What is long-term memory (LTM)? 

The memory system responsible for storing information over long periods—minutes to a lifetime. 

What are the characteristics of long-term memory? 

• Duration: Potentially permanent 

• Capacity: Virtually unlimited 

• Encoding: Primarily semantic (meaning-based) 

• Retrieval: Can be influenced by cues and context 

What does it mean that LTM is an archival memory system? 

It stores accumulated knowledge, experiences, and skills—information that can be retrieved when needed rather than continuously active.

What are the implications of LTM being an archival system?

• Allows continuity of identity and learning across time 

• Retrieval depends on effective cues and context 

• Stored memories can be updated or reconstructed over time 

How is LTM organized?

• By type (declarative vs. nondeclarative) 

• By content (semantic, episodic, procedural) 

• Through associative networks where related concepts are linked 

What is declarative memory? 

Memory for facts and events that can be consciously recalled and verbally described.

What are the two main types of declarative memory? 

1. Episodic memory – personal experiences and specific events 

2. Semantic memory – general knowledge and facts 

What is episodic memory?

Memory of personally experienced events, including context (time, place, emotions). 

What is semantic memory? 

General world knowledge (facts, concepts, meanings) independent of personal experience. 

Flashcard 10 

How do episodic and semantic memory interact? 

Episodic memories can contribute to building semantic knowledge, and semantic memory can guide the encoding of new episodic events. 

What is autobiographical memory? 

Memory for personal life events that combines episodic (event-specific) and semantic (factual self-knowledge) elements. 

Why is autobiographical memory important? 

It contributes to self-identity, personal continuity, and social relationships. 

What is nondeclarative (implicit) memory? 

Unconscious memory that influences behavior without conscious awareness, such as skills and habits. 

What is procedural memory? 

Memory for motor skills and habits (e.g., riding a bike, typing) learned through repetition and practice. 

What is memory repression? 

The unconscious blocking of distressing or traumatic memories from conscious awareness, as proposed in psychodynamic theory. 

What is the controversy around repressed memories? 

Debate exists over whether such memories can be reliably recovered, as false or distorted memories can be created through suggestion. 

How does PTSD affect memory?

Traumatic memories may become intrusive, fragmented, or involuntarily retrieved, leading to distress and re-experiencing symptoms.