Psychology - Memory

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memory

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the persistence of learning over time through the 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 need only identify 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 relearning 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 retention of 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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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 seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten

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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 focuses on 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"; 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 independent of conscious recollection; 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 mass study or practice

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testing effect

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enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply reading, information; retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning

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shallow processing

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encoding on a basic level based on the structure or appearance of words

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deep processing

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encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention

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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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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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the tendency to recall best the last and first 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 disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information

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retroactive interference

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the 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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misinformation effect

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incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event

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source amnesia

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attributing to the wrong source an event that has been experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined; source misattribution; along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories

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déjà vu

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that eerie sense that "I've experienced this before"; cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience