2.3 Intro to Memory

Memory

• Definition/Purpose: The process by which we encode, store, and retrieve information.

• Example: Remembering a friend's birthday.

• Connection: Essential for learning and personal identity.

2. Central Executive

• Definition/Purpose: The component of working memory that directs attention and coordinates information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.

• Example: Deciding what to focus on when studying for an exam.

• Connection: Key for managing cognitive tasks.

3. Explicit Memory

• Definition/Purpose: Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare.

• Example: Remembering the capital of France.

• Connection: Involves intentional recollection of information.

4. Phonological Loop

• Definition/Purpose: A component of working memory that deals with auditory information and language.

• Example: Repeating a phone number to remember it.

• Connection: Important for language processing and verbal memory.

5. Episodic Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A type of explicit memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences.

• Example: Remembering your first day at school.

• Connection: Personal memories tied to specific times and places.

6. Iconic Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A brief sensory memory for visual stimuli, lasting only a fraction of a second.

• Example: Seeing a flash of lightning and briefly remembering the scene.

• Connection: Demonstrates the fleeting nature of visual information.

7. Semantic Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A type of explicit memory that involves the storage of general knowledge, facts, and concepts.

• Example: Knowing that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

• Connection: Critical for understanding and using language.

8. Echoic Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A brief sensory memory for auditory stimuli, lasting a few seconds.

• Example: Remembering the last few words someone said after they finish talking.

• Connection: Illustrates how we process auditory information.

9. Implicit Memory

• Definition/Purpose: Memory that is not consciously recalled but influences behavior and skills.

• Example: Riding a bicycle without thinking about it.

• Connection: Involves learned skills and conditioned responses.

10. Shallow Processing

• Definition/Purpose: A superficial level of processing that involves focusing on the physical or sensory features of an item.

• Example: Memorizing a list of words by their appearance without understanding their meaning.

• Connection: Less effective for long-term retention.

11. Procedural Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A type of implicit memory that involves the knowledge of how to perform tasks and skills.

• Example: Knowing how to tie your shoes.

• Connection: Critical for motor skills and habits.

12. Deep Processing

• Definition/Purpose: A more meaningful level of processing that involves understanding and relating new information to existing knowledge.

• Example: Connecting new vocabulary words to their meanings and using them in sentences.

• Connection: Leads to better retention of information.

13. Prospective Memory

• Definition/Purpose: The ability to remember to perform a planned action in the future.

• Example: Remembering to take medication at a specific time.

• Connection: Important for daily functioning and responsibilities.

14. Automatic Processing

• Definition/Purpose: The unconscious encoding of incidental information and well-learned information.

• Example: Remembering the layout of your home without actively trying to memorize it.

• Connection: Facilitates efficient memory formation without effort.

15. Neurogenesis

• Definition/Purpose: The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

• Example: Neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation.

• Connection: Important for learning and memory resilience.

16. Effortful Processing

• Definition/Purpose: The encoding of information that requires conscious effort and attention.

• Example: Studying for a test by reviewing notes.

• Connection: Essential for long-term memory formation.

17. Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

• Definition/Purpose: A process that strengthens the connections between neurons, making it easier to transmit signals and enhancing memory.

• Example: Repeatedly practicing a skill strengthens the neural pathways involved.

• Connection: Underlies learning and memory consolidation.

18. Encoding

• Definition/Purpose: The process of transforming information into a form that can be stored in memory.

• Example: Converting spoken words into written notes.

• Connection: Critical first step in memory formation.

19. Storing

• Definition/Purpose: The process of maintaining information in memory over time.

• Example: Keeping a phone number in your long-term memory.

• Connection: Involves various types of memory systems.

20. Working Memory

• Definition/Purpose: A system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for cognitive tasks.

• Example: Solving a math problem in your head.

• Connection: Integrates information from short-term and long-term memory.

21. Retrieval

• Definition/Purpose: The process of accessing and bringing stored information into consciousness.

• Example: Remembering your address when asked.

• Connection: Essential for using stored memories.

22. Visuospatial Sketchpad

• Definition/Purpose: A component of working memory that handles visual and spatial information.

• Example: Mentally picturing a route while navigating.

• Connection: Important for tasks that require visual processing.

23. Structural Processing

• Definition/Purpose: A shallow level of processing that focuses on the physical structure of the words.

• Example: Noticing the capitalization of letters in a word.

• Connection: Less effective for memory retention.

24. Long-Term Memory

• Definition/Purpose: The relatively permanent storage of information, with a potentially unlimited capacity.

• Example: Remembering your childhood home.

• Connection: Essential for retaining information over time.

25. Phonemic Processing

• Definition/Purpose: A type of processing that focuses on the sound of words.

• Example: Hearing a word and thinking about how it sounds.

• Connection: Can enhance memory through auditory associations.

26. Multi-Store Model

• Definition/Purpose: A theoretical model that describes memory as consisting of three stores: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

• Example: Information passes from sensory memory to short-term memory and may be encoded into long-term memory.

• Connection: Provides a framework for understanding memory processes.

27. Semantic Processing Definition/Purpose: The encoding of information based on its meaning, which enhances memory retention.

• Example: Understanding a concept and relating it to other knowledge.

• Connection: Leads to deeper understanding and better recall.

28. Sensory Memory

• Definition/Purpose: The initial, brief storage of sensory information.

• Example: Retaining a visual image for a fraction of a second after it has disappeared.

• Connection: The first step in the memory process.