Memory
Any system - human, animal, or machine - that encodes, stores, and retrieves information
Information-processing model
A cognitive understanding of memory, emphasizing how information is changed when it is encoded, stored, and retrieved
Encoding
One of the three basic tasks of memory, involving the modification of information to fit the preferred format for the memory system
Storage
One of the three basic tasks of memory, involving the retention of encoded material over time
Retrieval
The third basic task of memory, involving the location and recovery of information from memory
Eidetic imagery
An especially clear and persistent form of memory that is quite rare; sometimes known as "photographic memory
Sensory memory
The first of three memory stages, preserving brief sensory impressions of stimuli
Working memory
The second of three memory stages, and most limited in capacity. It preserves recently perceived events or experiences for less than a minute without rehearsal
Long-term memory (LTM)
The third of three memory stages, with the largest capacity and longest duration; LTM stores material organized according to meaning
Chunking
Organizing pieces of information into a smaller number of meaningful unites (or chunks) - a process that frees up space in working memory
Maintenance rehearsal
A working-memory process in which information is merely repeated or reviewed to keep it from fading while in working memory. Maintenance rehearsal involves no active elaboration
Elaborative rehearsal
A working-memory process in which information is actively reviewed and related to information already in LTM
Acoustic encoding
The conversion of information, especially semantic information, to sound patterns in working memory
Levels-of-processing theory
The explanation for the fact that information that is more thoroughly connected to meaningful items in long-term memory (more "deeply" processed) will be remembered better
Procedural memory
A division of LTM that stores memories for how things are done
Declarative memory
A division of LTM that stores explicit information; also known as fact memory. Declarative memory has two subdivisions: episodic memory and semantic memory
Episodic memory
A subdivision of declarative memory that stores memory for personal events, or "episodes
Semantic memory
A subdivision of declarative memory that stores general knowledge, including the meanings of words and concepts
Engram
The physical changes in the brain associated with a memory. It is also known as the memory trace
Anterograde amnesia
The inability to form memories for new information (as opposed to retrograde amnesia, which involves the inability to remember information previously stored in memory).
Consolidation
The process by which short-term memories are changed to long-term memories over a period of time
Retrograde amnesia
The inability to remember information previously stored in memory
Flashbulb memory
A clear and vivid long-term memory of an especially meaningful and emotional event
Implicit memory
A memory that was not deliberately learned or of which you have no conscious awareness
Explicit memory
Memory that has been processed with attention and can be consciously recalled
Retrieval cues
Stimuli that are used to bring a memory to consciousness or into behavior
Priming
A technique for cuing implicit memories by providing cues that stimulate a memory without answers of the connection between the cue and the retrieved memory
Recall
A retrieval method in which one must reproduce previously presented information
Recognition
A retrieval method in which one must identify present stimuli as having been previously presented
Encoding specificity principle
The doctrine that memory is encoded and stored with specific cues related to the context in which it was formed. The more closely the retrieval cues match the form in which the information was encoded, the better it will be remembered
TOT phenomenon
The inability to recall a word, while knowing that it is in memory. People often describe this frustrating experience as having the word "on the tip of the tongue
Transience
The impermanence of a long-term memory. Transience is based on the idea that long-term memories gradually fade in strength over time.
Forgetting curve
A graph plotting the amount of retention and forgetting over time for a certain batch of material, such as a list of nonsense syllables. The typical forgetting curve is steep at first, become flatter as time goes on
Absent-mindedness
Forgetting caused by lapses in attention
Blocking
Forgetting that occurs when an item in memory cannot be accessed or retrieved. Blocking is caused by interference
Proactive interference
A cause of forgetting by which previously stored information prevents learning and remembering new information
Retroactive interference
A cause of forgetting by which newly learned information prevents retrieval of previously stored material
Serial position effect
A form of interference related to the sequence in which information is presented. Generally, items in the middle of the sequence are less well remembered than items presented first or last
Misattribution
A memory fault that occurs when memories are retrieved but are associated with the wrong time, place, or person
Suggestibility
The process of memory distortion as the result of deliberate or inadvertent suggestion
Misinformation effect
The distortion of memory by suggestion or misinformation
Expectancy bias
In memory, a tendency to distort recalled events to make them fit one's expectations
Self-consistency bias
The commonly held idea that we are more consistent in our attitudes, opinions, and beliefs than we actually are
Persistence
A memory problem in which unwanted memories cannot be put out of mind
Mnemonics
Techniques for improving memory, especially by making connections between new material and information already in long-term memory
Method of loci
A mnemonic technique that involves associating items on a list with a sequence of familiar physical locations
Natural language mediators
Words associated with new information to be remembered
Whole method
The mnemonic strategy of first approaching the material to be learned "as a whole," forming an impression of the overall meaning of the material. The details are later associated with this overall impression
Distributed learning
A technique whereby the learner spaces learning sessions over time, rather than trying to learn the material all in one study period
Overlearning
A strategy whereby the learner continues to study and rehearse the material after it has been initially brought to mastery