AP Psychology Chapter 9 Vocabulary

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Questions and Answers

What is memory?

The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.

What is a flashbulb memory?

A clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event.

What is encoding?

The processing of information into the memory system.

What is the serial position effect?

Our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list. Signup and view all the answers

What is automatic processing?

Unconscious encoding of incidental information. Signup and view all the answers

What is effortful processing?

Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spacing effect?

The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than massed study. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Hermann Ebbinghaus?

He was the pioneering researcher of verbal memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is focused attention?

The behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is divided attention?

When two simultaneous tasks use the same modality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the next-in-line effect?

Diminished recall for the words of others who spoke immediately before or after a person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recency effect?

When items at the end of a list are more likely to be recalled. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primacy effect?

A cognitive bias that results in recalling primary information better than later information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the von Restorff effect?

A bias in favor of remembering the unusual. Signup and view all the answers

What is the self-reference effect?

A tendency for people to encode information differently depending on how self-relevant it is. Signup and view all the answers

What is rosy retrospection?

Subjects rate past events more positively than they did at the time. Signup and view all the answers

What is visual encoding?

The encoding of picture images. Signup and view all the answers

What is acoustic encoding?

The encoding of sound, especially the sound of words. Signup and view all the answers

What is semantic encoding?

The encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words. Signup and view all the answers

What are mnemonics?

Memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational devices. Signup and view all the answers

What is storage in memory?

The retention of encoded information over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is retrieval in memory?

The process of getting information out of memory. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory Concepts in Psychology

Memory refers to the ability to persistently learn and to store and retrieve information over time.
Alzheimer's disease can severely impair memory functions.

Flashbulb Memory

Flashbulb memories are vivid recollections of emotionally charged events, often retained over time, such as graduation.

Encoding Processes

Encoding is the conversion of information into a form suitable for storage in memory.
Examples include extracting meaning from experiences, like remembering a coach's pep talk.

Recall Effects

Serial Position Effect describes the tendency to best remember the first and last items in a sequence.
Recency Effect refers to better recall of items presented at the end of a list.
Primacy Effect indicates improved memory for information presented first.
Next-in-Line Effect highlights reduced recall for individuals immediately before or after speaking in a group.

Attention in Memory

Focused Attention involves concentrating on a singular aspect while ignoring distractions.
Divided Attention occurs when managing two tasks at once, such as driving while on a call.

Processing Types

Automatic Processing entails unconscious encoding of incidental information, like recalling lunch details without effort.
Effortful Processing requires deliberate attention and memory effort, often seen in studying.
Spacing Effect suggests distributed practice yields better long-term retention compared to cram sessions.

Early Memory Research

Hermann Ebbinghaus pioneered research in verbal memory and introduced the concept of the learning curve.

Encoding Techniques

Visual Encoding captures images and creates mental pictures from descriptions.
Acoustic Encoding processes sounds, especially spoken words.
Semantic Encoding focuses on understanding the meaning of information.

Memory Aids

Mnemonics are techniques that enhance memory retention through vivid imagery or organized formats (e.g., PEMDAS for order of operations).

Memory Retention and Retrieval

Storage is the maintenance of encoded information over time, a key aspect of memory systems.
Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information from memory, crucial for recall tasks.

Other Memory Biases

von Restorff Effect explains the propensity to remember distinctive or unusual items.
Self Reference Effect indicates that people remember information better when they can relate personally to it.
Rosy Retrospection describes the tendency to evaluate past experiences more positively than how they felt at the time.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary from Chapter 9 of AP Psychology. This quiz covers essential terms and definitions that are crucial for understanding concepts related to memory and learning. Prepare to enhance your understanding and recall of important psychological terminology.