Psychology: Chapter 8 Terms – Flashcards
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memory
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the persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
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recall
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a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test
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recognition
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a measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test
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relearning
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a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again
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encoding
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the processing of information into the memory system -- for example, by extracting meaning
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storage
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the process of retaining encoded information over time
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retrieval
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the process of getting information out of memory storage
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parallel processing
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the processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously; the brain's natural mode of information processing for many functions
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sensory memory
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the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system
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short-term memory
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activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while calling, before the information in the memory system
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long-term memory
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the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.
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working memory
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a newer understanding of short-term memory that adds conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory
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explicit memory
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memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare" (also called declarative memory)
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effortful processing
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encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
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automatic processing
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unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings
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implicit memory
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retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection (also called nondeclarative memory)
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iconic memory
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a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
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echoic memory
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a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds
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chunking
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organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically
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mnemonics
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memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices
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spacing effect
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the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice
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testing effect
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enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.
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semantic memory
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explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is episodic memory)
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episodic memory
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explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is semantic memory)
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hippocampus
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a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
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memory consolidation
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the neural storage of a long-term memory
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flashbulb memory
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a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
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long-term potentiation (LTP)
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an increase in a cell's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory
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priming
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the activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory
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mood-congruent memory
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the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood
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serial position effect
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our tendency to recall best the last (recency effect) and first (primacy effect) items in a list
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anterograde amnesia
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an inability to form new memories
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retrograde amnesia
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an inability to retrieve information from one's past
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proactive interference
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the forward-acting disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information
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retroactive interference
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the backward-acting disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information
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repression
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in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories
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reconsolidation
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a process in which previously stored memories, when retrieved, are potentially altered before being stored again
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misinformation effect
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when misleading information has corrupted one's memory of an event
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source amnesia
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attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. (Also called source misattribution) Source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories.
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deja vu
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that eerie sense that "I've experienced this before" Cues from the current situation may unconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience.
