Intro to Psych Chapter 6 - FINAL EXAM

memory

The retention of information or experience over time as the result of three key processes: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

encoding

The first step in memory; the process by which information gets into memory storage

levels of processing

A continuum of memory processing from shallow to intermediate to deep, with deeper processing producing better memory

shallow level of processing

physical and perceptual features are analyzed

intermediate level of processing

stimulus is recognized and labeled

deep level of processing

semantic, meaningful, symbolic characteristic are used

elaboration

the formation of a number of different connections around a stimulus at a given level of memory encoding

storage

The retention of information over time and how this information is represented in memory.

sensory memory

Memory system that involves holding information from the world in its original sensory form for only an instant, not much longer than the brief time it is exposed to the visual, auditory, and other senses.

short-term memory

Limited-capacity memory system in which information is usually retained for only as long as 30 seconds unless strategies are used to retain it longer.

chunking

involves grouping or “packing” information that exceeds the 7 ± 2 memory span

long-term memory

A relatively permanent type of memory that stores huge amounts of information for a long time.

semantic memory

A person’s knowledge about the world.

episodic memory

The retention of information about the where, when, and what of life’s happenings—that is, how individuals remember life’s episodes.

procedural memory

Memory for skills.

retrieval

The memory process that occurs when information that was retained in memory comes out of storage.

serial position effect

The tendency to recall the items at the beginning and end of a list more readily than those in the middle.

primacy effect

refers to better recall for items at the beginning of a list

recency effect

refers to better recall for items at the end of a list