Memory Concepts and Processes

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Memory?

The immediate recording of sensory information

The retention of encoded information over time

The persistence of learning over time through storage and retrieval of information (correct)

The processing of information into the memory system

What is a Flashbulb Memory?

A clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

What does Encoding refer to?

The processing of information into the memory system

What is meant by Storage in memory?

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

What is Retrieval in the context of memory?

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

What is Sensory Memory?

The immediate, initial recording of sensory information in the memory system Signup and view all the answers

Describe Short-Term Memory.

Activated memory that holds a few items briefly before storing or forgetting them Signup and view all the answers

What is Long-Term Memory?

The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system Signup and view all the answers

What does Automatic Processing refer to?

Unconscious encoding of incidental information Signup and view all the answers

Define Effortful Processing.

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

What is Rehearsal in memory terms?

The conscious repetition of information Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Spacing Effect.

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

What is the Serial Position Effect?

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

What does Visual Encoding involve?

The encoding of picture images Signup and view all the answers

Define 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 is Imagery in memory?

Mental pictures that aid effortful processing 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 does Chunking mean?

Organizing items into familiar, manageable units Signup and view all the answers

What is Iconic Memory?

A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Define Echoic Memory.

A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)?

An increase in a synapse's firing potential after rapid stimulation Signup and view all the answers

Define Amnesia.

The loss of memory Signup and view all the answers

What is Implicit Memory?

Retention independent of conscious recollection Signup and view all the answers

What does Explicit Memory refer to?

Memory of facts and experiences that can be consciously known Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Hippocampus in memory?

It helps process explicit memories for storage Signup and view all the answers

What is Recall?

A measure of memory where the person retrieves earlier learned information Signup and view all the answers

Define Recognition.

A measure of memory where the person identifies previously learned items Signup and view all the answers

What is Relearning?

A memory measure that assesses the time saved when learning material again Signup and view all the answers

What does Priming mean?

The activation of particular associations in memory Signup and view all the answers

What is Deja Vu?

The eerie sense that 'I've experienced this before' Signup and view all the answers

Explain Mood-Congruent Memory.

The tendency to recall experiences consistent with one's current mood Signup and view all the answers

What is Proactive Interference?

The disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information Signup and view all the answers

What does Retroactive Interference mean?

The disruptive effect of new learning on recall of old information Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Misinformation Effect.

Incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event Signup and view all the answers

What is Source Amnesia?

Attributing an event to the wrong source Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory Concepts

Memory is the persistence of learning over time, involving storage and retrieval of information.
Flashbulb memory captures clear memories of emotionally significant moments or events.

Memory Processes

Encoding is the processing of information into the memory system, focusing on extracting meaning.
Storage retains encoded information over time.
Retrieval is the process of accessing information stored in memory.

Types of Memory

Sensory memory captures immediate and initial sensory information.
Short-term memory holds a few items briefly, such as phone numbers during dialing; it includes working memory, which emphasizes processing information.
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent and limitless storehouse for information.

Encoding Types

Automatic processing involves unconscious encoding of incidental information like space, time, and well-learned facts.
Effortful processing requires attention and conscious effort.

Memory Strategies

Rehearsal is the conscious repetition of information for retention or storage.
The spacing effect enhances long-term retention through distributed study rather than cramming.
The serial position effect explains the tendency to recall the first and last items in a list most effectively.

Encoding Techniques

Visual encoding focuses on pictorial information.
Acoustic encoding emphasizes sound, especially words.
Semantic encoding involves the encoding of meaning, including word meanings.

Memory Aids

Imagery enhances effortful processing when combined with semantic encoding.
Mnemonics are memory aids that often use vivid imagery and organizational techniques.
Chunking organizes items into familiar, manageable units for easier recall.

Sensory Memory Types

Iconic memory is a brief sensory memory of visual stimuli, lasting only a few tenths of a second.
Echoic memory is a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli, allowing sounds or words to be recalled within 3-4 seconds even if attention is distracted.

Neural Basis of Memory

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) increases a synapse's firing potential after rapid stimulation, believed to underlie learning and memory.
The hippocampus, located in the limbic system, plays a crucial role in processing and storing explicit memories.

Memory Measures

Recall involves retrieving learned information without cues, akin to fill-in-the-blank tests.
Recognition requires identifying previously learned items, similar to multiple-choice tests.
Relearning assesses the time saved when learning material a second time.

Memory Phenomena

Priming activates particular associations in memory unconsciously.
Deja vu gives an uncanny feeling of having experienced a current situation before.
Mood-congruent memory relates to recalling experiences consistent with one’s current emotional state.

Interference in Memory

Proactive interference disrupts the recall of new information due to prior learning.
Retroactive interference disrupts the recall of old information because of new learning.

Memory Distortions

The misinformation effect occurs when misleading information is incorporated into memory.
Source amnesia involves attributing memories to the wrong source, contributing to the development of false memories.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of memory in this quiz covering key concepts such as types of memory, encoding processes, and memory retrieval. Test your understanding of how information is stored and recalled, including different storage mechanisms and their functions. Ideal for psychology students and enthusiasts!