Alzheimer’s Disease: A progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior, often due to the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

Recall: A type of memory retrieval where the individual must retrieve information without the aid of cues or prompts (e.g., an essay exam).

Recognition: A type of memory retrieval in which individuals identify previously learned information from a list or set of options (e.g., multiple-choice questions).

Relearning: A measure of memory that assesses how much faster information can be learned when it is studied again after being forgotten.

Explicit Memory: Conscious, intentional recollection of factual information, previous experiences, and concepts (e.g., remembering your birthday).

Implicit Memory: Unconscious memory for skills, habits, and conditioned responses (e.g., riding a bike, classical conditioning).

Procedural Memory: A type of implicit memory that involves memory for skills and procedures, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument.

Neurogenesis: The process by which new neurons are created in the brain, particularly in areas like the hippocampus, which is involved in memory.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): A lasting increase in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons, believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

Working Memory: A temporary storage system that actively holds and manipulates information needed for complex tasks such as reasoning, comprehension, and problem-solving.

Visuospatial Sketchpad: A component of working memory that handles visual and spatial information (e.g., remembering the layout of a room).

Long-Term Memory: The storage of information over an extended period of time, with virtually unlimited capacity.

Multi-Store Model: A theory of memory proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin, which posits that memory consists of three stores: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Sensory Memory: The initial, brief storage of sensory information, such as visual or auditory stimuli, lasting only a few seconds.

Short-Term Memory: The part of memory that holds information for a short period (about 15–30 seconds) and has limited capacity (about 7±2 items).

Central Executive: The part of working memory that directs attention and coordinates the activities of the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and long-term memory.

Phonological Loop: A component of working memory that processes verbal and auditory information (e.g., repeating a phone number to remember it).

Iconic Memory: A brief visual memory of stimuli that last a few tenths of a second (e.g., the image of a flash of light).

Echoic Memory: A brief auditory memory that lasts about 3–4 seconds, allowing one to remember sounds or words heard recently.

Shallow Processing: A type of encoding that involves superficial features like the physical appearance or sound of information, leading to less durable memories.

Deep Processing: A type of encoding that involves processing the meaning of information, leading to stronger, more durable memories.

Automatic Processing: Unconscious encoding of information, such as space, time, and frequency, which occurs without effort (e.g., remembering where you were when something important happened).

Effortful Processing: Encoding that requires conscious effort and attention, such as studying for a test or memorizing a phone number.

Encoding: The process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storage: The retention of encoded information over time.

Retrieval: The process of accessing and bringing information from long-term memory into conscious awareness.

Structural Encoding: Encoding based on the physical structure of the stimulus, such as the appearance of words or letters.

Phonemic Encoding: Encoding based on the sound of words, such as repeating a word to help remember it.

Semantic Processing: Encoding based on the meaning of words and concepts, leading to deeper understanding and better retention.

Chunking: The process of organizing information into manageable units or chunks (e.g., remembering a phone number by breaking it into smaller segments).

Mnemonics: Memory aids or strategies that help in the encoding and retrieval of information (e.g., using acronyms, rhymes, or visual imagery).

Method of Loci: A mnemonic technique that involves associating information with specific locations or landmarks, often imagined in a familiar place.

Hierarchies: Organizing information into categories or levels to enhance memory retention (e.g., classifying animals into mammals, birds, etc.).

Categories: Grouping information based on shared characteristics or features, which helps in organizing and retrieving memories.

Spacing Effect: The phenomenon in which information is better retained when study sessions are spaced out over time, rather than crammed in one sitting.

Massed Practice: A study technique in which learning occurs in long, uninterrupted sessions (often leading to quick forgetting).

Distributed Practice: A study technique in which learning is spread over time with breaks between sessions, leading to better long-term retention.

Testing Effect: The phenomenon where taking tests or quizzes enhances long-term retention, even when no additional study is done.