AP Psychology Memory

Terms in this set (23)

Memory
the ability to remember the things that we have experienced, imagine, or learned; first explored by Hermann Ebbinghaus
Chunking
method of organizing information into easy that meaningful units of information; example-if short-term memory is best for max of 10 items that you must remember 12 numbers group them (junk) into three meaningful groups: 1066 1945 1812 now you have three numbers remember not 12
information processing (IP)
model to explain the way humans create memories; in code, store, and retrieve information like a computer
decay theory
evidence from distractor studies; forgetting is caused by the passage of time; memories deteriorate
sensory receptors
entry points for raw data that has potential to become a memory; length of stay is only a couple of seconds; unlimited capacity; experiment-George Sterling (1960) shows that echoes (auditory) lasts longer than icons (visual) masking
interference theory
forgetting caused by information getting mixed up by other information
attention
the filtering process one uses for all the data in the sensory registers to determine what is transferred to STM; Cocktail Party Phenomenon-Broadbent-when in a noisy environment, a person pays attention to the conversation they are in, not to others; "On/Off"-Triesman-people turn down the other signals, but not off, so an important signal can leak through
rote rehearsal
maintenance rehearsal; method is to expand the length of time information can be held in STM; repeating information over and over (silently or allowed); can be effective for short time and is often effective through automaticity, which is long, hard practice [alpha that it, multiplication tables, music scales]
short-term memory (STM)
called primary memory by William James; STM or working memory; stores information taken from sensory registers and works on that information; capacity is 1.5 to 2 seconds, 7-10 items; encoding is completed by maintenance (rote) personal, can be phonetic (verbal) or iconic (visual); can only work on one task at a time sufficiently grasped both tasks are completed inadequately
elaborative rehearsal
linking new information with old information; giving meaning to information from STM to transfer it to LTM
retrograde amnesia
typically caused by head injury; forgetting what happened shortly before the accident (theory-memories aren't anchored in to LTM)
implicit memory
LT memories where a person is not aware of having nor can they easily describe the memory; not intentionally retrieved; includes procedural and emotional memories
long-term memory (LTM)
portion of memory that is more or less permanent; everything we know; capacity-Unlimited in time or amount; encoded-needs meaning or framework to transfer from STM to LTM; three types: episodic, semantic, procedural
retroactive interference
new material interferes with remembering old information already in LTM; everyday occurrence; example learning list of word pairs. A second list uses one of the same words, you want to use the first pair, not the new second pair
semantic memory
type of explicit memory; memory that includes facts and concepts: like Encyclopedia; school knowledge
proactive interference
old material in LTM interferes with remembering new information; example you always part of the same spot, but today you relate so you parked elsewhere. When going home you appear normal spot before you remember the different spot. Episodic memory type of explicit memory; personal memories of events that run like an episode of TV or movie, can include: declarative-memories you can put into words, flashbulb memories-memories were you remember all the details like a picture
schema
schemata; variation of elaborative rehearsal; a framework or mental representation of an event, object, situation, person, process, or relationship stored in memory that leads one to expect something; like a stereotype but not, a framework; example a person wearing scrubs in a stethoscope is a ___? schema causes the answer to be a Dr.
explicit memory
LT memories where a person is aware of what they now and can easily describe these memories; are intentionally retrieved; includes semantic in episodic memories
flashbulb memory
vivid memory of a certain event and the incident surrounding the event; example: 9/11, first kiss, wedding day, funeral
eidetic imagery (memory)
true "photographic" memory; phenomenon where a person can recite a poem they read only ones or re-create an image in minute detail
mnemonics
memory technique used to increase memory skills
Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon (TOT)
in knowing a word, but not able to recall the word; occurs more often with stress or age
procedural memory
memory that involves skill, example: riding a bike
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