 | Term | Definition |
| |
memory |
persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information |
| |
flashbulb memory |
clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event |
| |
encoding |
processing of information into the memory system- for example, extracting meaning |
| |
storage |
retention of encoded information over time |
| |
retrieval |
process of getting information out of memory storage |
| |
sensory memory |
the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system |
| |
short-term memory |
activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing |
| |
long-term memory |
relatively permanant and limitedless storehouse of the memory system |
| |
working memory |
newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incomine auditory and visual-spatial information |
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automatic processing |
unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequence |
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effortful processing |
encoding that requires attention conscious effort |
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rehearsal |
conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage |
| |
spacing effect |
tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice |
| |
serial position effect |
our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list |
| |
visual encoding |
encoding of picture images |
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acoustic encoding |
encoding of sound, especially the sound of words |
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semantic encoding |
encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words |
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imagery |
mental pictures; powerful aid to effortful processing |
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mnemonics |
memory aids; like vivid imagery |
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chunking |
organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically |
| |
iconic memory |
momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli |
| |
echoic memory |
momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; sounds can be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds |
| |
long-term potentiation (LTP) |
increase in synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation |
| |
amnesia |
loss of memory |
| |
implicit memory |
retention independent of conscious recollection |
| |
explicit memory |
memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare" |
| |
hippocampus |
neural center that is located in limbic system and helps process explicit memories for storage |
| |
recall |
measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier |
| |
recognition |
measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned |
| |
relearning |
memory measure that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for a second time |
| |
priming |
activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory |
| |
deja vu |
that eerie sense that "I've experienced this before" |
| |
mood-congruent memory |
tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood |
| |
proactive interference |
disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information |
| |
retroactive interference |
disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information |
| |
repression |
in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories |
| |
misinformation effect |
incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event |
| |
source amnesia |
attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined |
