memory and forgetting

Short-term memory - itself is activated memory that holds a few items briefly

Sensory memory - is the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information

into the memory system.

Iconic memory - is the momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli—

a picture-image memory lasting no more than a few seconds

echoic memory - is the momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli.

Long-term memory - on the other hand, is the relatively-permanent and

limitless storehouse of the memory system.

procedural memory - which is memory involved in automatic motor movement

flashbulb moments—vivid memories of an often emotionally-significant moment or event

long-term potentiation—an increase in neuron-firing potential after a brief, rapid stimulation

Retrieval cues - are other bits of spatial information that help recall memories

from a web of neurons.

mood congruency – the tendency to recall memories that are consistent with one’s current mood –can help us recall memories.

serial-position effect – the tendency to remember the names or info at the beginning or end of a list—can impact which terms we remember more accurately

the stereotype threat--a situational predicament in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of conforming to stereotypes about their social group

Chunking – the organizing of information into familiar, manageable units.

Mnemonics – memory aids, like acronyms, and other tricks we use to remember information.

Spacing effect – the spacing of learning and relearning (reviewing) information across several days

or weeks rather than cramming the information.

Testing effect – or self-testing recall— has been shown to be more effective than re-reading or

cramming.

Herman Ebbinghaus - pioneered research regarding relearning, and analyzed memory data

Anterograde amnesia - is the condition in which patients fail to develop new memories

retrograde amnesia - is the failure to retrieve old information from one’s past.

Proactive interference - is the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information.

retroactive interference - occurs when new learning disrupts the recall of old information.

misinformation effect – the incorporating of misleading information into one’s

memory of an account—can cause one to distort or misremember certain details

Elizabeth Loftus - pioneered research on the misinformation effect by working with eyewitness accounts in the legal system.

source amnesia – attributing an event or memory to the wrong source – occurs when our

brains fail to retrieve a memory.