General Psychology Chapter 7

memory

Our ability to store and retrieve information, and any indication that learning has persisted over time.

encoding

Term for getting information into long term memory

storage

Term for retention of encoded information

retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Three Stage model

Model of memory with three stages: a) sensory memory, b) short-term memory (working memory), and c) long-term memory.

sensory memory

The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system.

working memory

Other name for short term memory. Conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory

0.5 to 3 seconds

Duration of sense memory

20 to 30 seconds

Duration of short term memory (working memory)

relatively permanent

Duration of long term memory

fading

How memory is lost from sensory memory

environmental interference

How memory is lost from short term (working) memory

lack of use

How memory is lost from long term memory.

5 to 9 items

Capacity of short term memory

unlimited

Capacity of long term memory.

attention

How we encode information from sensory memory into short term (working) memory (except for personal experience).

practice and rehearsing

How we get information from short term (working) memory into long term memory.

long term memory

The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system.

automatic processing

Effortless encoding of information about space, time and frequency.

effortful processing

Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

rehearsal

Effortful learning involving conscious repetition of information either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage.

spacing effect

The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice. A memory effect.

serial position effect

The tendency to recall best the last and first items on a list, but poor in the middle. Overcome by distributed practice. A memory effect.

encoding meaning

Processing the meaning of verbal information by associating it with what we already know or imagine. It results in better recognition later than visual or acoustic encoding

visual encoding

Using mental pictures (imagery) as a powerful aid to effortful processing. e.g. Loci system of memory - visualizing items in locations.

organizing information

Break down complex information into broad concepts and further subdivide them into categories and subcategories. E.g. Chunking and hierarchies

chunking

Organizing items into a familiar, manageable unit. e.g. Acronyms

hierarchy

Complex information broken down into broad concepts and further subdivided into categories and subcategories

flashbulb memory

A clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.

implicit memory

Type of long term memory, retained vial learned skills or conditioning, often without conscious awareness of learn. It is processed in the cerebellum.

explicit memory

Type of long term memory of facts and personal events that involves conscious recall. It is processed in the hippocampus.

3 years

Age of a child before which the hippocampus is not fully formed, so explicit memories cannot be fully formed.

anterograde amnesia

Condition where a person has no memory for new events, such as when there is damage to the hippocampus.

retrograde amnesia

Condition where a person has no memory of old events, such as anything before an accident or stressful event.

recognition

memory demonstrated by identifying items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test

recall

memory demonstrated by retrieving information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test

relearning

Memory demonstrated by time saved when learning material a second time.

mood congruent memory

The tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with your current mood (good or bad)

d�j� vu

Unconscious retrieval of a memory of an earlier similar experience.

state dependent memory

Memory that is recalled because you are in the same physiological state as when you were learning the information

mood dependent memory

Memory that is recalled because you are in the same mood as when you were learning the information.