Memory

Memory

learning that has persisted over time, information that has been stored and can be retrived

encoding

the processing of information into the memory system by extracting meaning

storage

the retention of encoded information over time

retrieval

getting information out of storage

sensory memory

immediate recording of sensory information

short-term memory

activated memory that briefly holds information before it's either stored or forgotten

long-term memory

relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of memory

working memory

a newer understanding of short term memory that focuses on conscious active processing of incoming information and of information retrieved from long term memory

effortful processing

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort and produces accessible memories

rehearsal

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

space effect

the tendency for distributed study to yield better long term retention than is achieved through mass study

serial position effect

the tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list. Last items are still in working memory (recency effect). Recall is best for first items after a delay (primacy effect)

imagery

mental pictures; a powerful aid to effortful processing when combined with encoding

mnemonics

memory aids, techniques that use imagery and organizational devices

chunking

organizing items into familiar and manageable units that may occur automatically

Hierarchies

processing information composed of a few broad concepts divided into narrower concepts and facts

echoic memory

momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 4 seconds

long term potentiation (LTP)

an increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

flashbulb memories

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment storing implicit and explicit memories

amnesia

loss of memory/ unable to form new memories

implicit memory

retention independent of conscious recollection (without conscious recall)

explicit memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare". (conscious recall)

hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage. Left side: verbal information. Right side: visual designs and locations.

cerebellum

plays a key role in forming and storing the implicit memories created by classical conditioning

recall

a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier (fill in the blank test)

recognition

a person needs to identity items previously learned (MCQ)

relearning

assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again

retrieval clues

anchor points you can use to access the target information when you want to retrieve it later

priming

the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations in memory

deja vu

eerie sensation that "I've experienced this before". may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier sequence.

mood congruent

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood

proactive interference

(foward acting) occurs when something learned earlier disrupts your recall of something you experience later

retroactive interference

(backward acting) occurs when new information makes it harder to recall something learned earlier

positive transfer

when old information facilitates the learning of new information

repression

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

misinformation effect

incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event

source amnesia

attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined

automatic processing

brain’s capacity for simultaneous activity allows for multitasking without conscious attention

EX: space, time, frequency, well learned material