2.4) Encoding Memories

short term memory limit

people can only remember 7 plus or minus two digits

people can only remember 7 plus or minus two digits

short term memory limit

transforming sensory input into information the brain can store later

encoding

encoding

transforming sensory input into information the brain can store and retrieve later

chunking

puts items into groups to memorize and remember them easier

organizing items into recognizable groups to remember them easier

chunking

category

items put together because of similar features

items put together because of similar features

category

hierarchy

arranges categories into levels

arranges categories into levels

hierarchy

mnemonic

a memory aid in which an acronym or phrase is created to encode more easier

a memory aid in which an acronym or phrase is created to encode more easier

mnemonic

method of loci

a mnemonic technique that uses visual or spatial information to remember things easier

a mnemonic technique that uses visual or spatial information to remember things easier

method of loci

spacing effect

information is encoded more deeply when studied spread out over a long period of time

information is encoded more deeply when studied spread out over a long period of time

spacing effect

massed practice

studying concentrated into one long sitting

studying concentrated into one long sitting

massed practice

distributed practice

studying broken into shorter parts spread over time

studying broken into shorter parts spread over time

distributed practice

testing effect

long term memory improves when you try to actively retrieve information then check your answers

long term memory improves when you try to actively retrieve information then check your answers

testing effect

serial position effect

people are more likely to remember the beginning and end of a list

people are more likely to remember the beginning and end of a list

serial position effect

primacy effect

people are more likely to remember the first items of a list

people are more likely to remember the first items of a list

primacy effect

recency effect

people are more likely to remember the last items of a list

people are more likely to remember the last items of a list

recency effect

semantic memory

long term explicit memory of general knowledge and facts

long term explicit memory of general knowledge and facts

semantic memory

self reference effect

you are more likely to remember information that regards yourself rather than others

you are more likely to remember information that regards yourself rather than others

self reference effect