Memory: Encoding, Storage & Retrieval

Questions and Answers

What is memory?

Learning that has persisted over time.

Which of the following are measures of retention?

Recall

Recognition

Relearning

All of the above (correct)

What is recall?

Information that is not currently in your conscious awareness and is brought into it.

What is recognition?

A process where you are able to sense something and you can remember sensing that stimuli before. Signup and view all the answers

What is relearning?

Amount of time saved when learning material for the second time. Signup and view all the answers

What is encoding?

Getting information into the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is storage?

Retaining encoded information over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is retrieval?

Getting information out of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the three-stage processing model of memory?

Sensory Memory -> Short-Term (Working) Memory -> Long-Term Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is automatic processing?

Occurring unconsciously, skipping sensory memory and working memory. Also known as implicit memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is effortful processing?

Requiring attention, effort, and rehearsal. Also known as explicit memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spacing effect?

Learning done throughout an extended period of time for a specific amount of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the testing effect?

Retrieval practice of need to know information. Signup and view all the answers

What is self-reference testing?

Encoding and recall of information that is personal. Signup and view all the answers

What is chunking?

Organizing information into familiar, meaningful chunks. Signup and view all the answers

What are hierarchies?

Organizing complex information by level of importance. Signup and view all the answers

What is sensory memory?

Brief, lingering visual, auditory or physical sensation. Signup and view all the answers

What is iconic memory?

Visual memory lasting no more than a few seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What is echoic memory?

Sounds and words can be recalled within 3 to 4 seconds of their occurrence. Signup and view all the answers

What is working memory?

Conscious, active processing of incoming sensory information and information retrieved from long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is rehearsal?

The process of repetitively verbalizing or thinking about some piece of information. Signup and view all the answers

What is limited capacity in memory?

Magical number 7 (± 2). Signup and view all the answers

What is long-term memory?

Can store information indefinitely (unlimited duration) and can store an unlimited amount of information (unlimited capacity). Signup and view all the answers

What is implicit memory?

Classically conditioned memory, stored in the cerebellum. Signup and view all the answers

What is procedural memory?

Locomotive/physical memory, stored in the basal ganglia. Signup and view all the answers

What is explicit memory?

Contains episodic memory and semantic memories, is processed in the frontal lobe and saved in the hippocampus. Signup and view all the answers

What is episodic memory?

Collection of past personal experiences that occurred at a particular time and place. Signup and view all the answers

What is semantic memory?

Processes ideas and concepts that are not drawn from personal experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is retrograde amnesia?

Inability to remember the past. Signup and view all the answers

What is anterograde amnesia?

Inability to form new memories. Signup and view all the answers

What is context-dependent memory?

Improved recall of specific episodes or information when the information present at encoding and retrieval are the same. Signup and view all the answers

What is state-dependent memory?

Memory retrieval that is most efficient when an individual is in the same state of consciousness as they were when the memory was formed. Signup and view all the answers

What is mood-congruent memory?

Where current mood helps recall of mood related material. Signup and view all the answers

What is the serial position effect?

Being more likely to remember information at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list. Signup and view all the answers

What is encoding failure?

Prevention of information entering long-term memory, and thus the information is never stored to be able to be retrieved at a later date. Signup and view all the answers

What is storage decay?

The course of forgetting is initially rapid, and then levels off. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of Memory

Memory is the ability to retain and retrieve information over time.
Retention measures include recall, recognition, and relearning.

Measures of Memory Retention

Recall involves retrieving information not currently in awareness.
Recognition is the ability to identify previously sensed stimuli.
Relearning assesses savings in time when re-learning material.

Memory Processes

Encoding is the initial process of getting information into the brain.
Storage refers to retaining encoded information over time.
Retrieval is the act of accessing and bringing information out of memory.

Memory Models

The Three-Stage Processing Model includes:
- Sensory Memory: captures brief, immediate sensory impressions.
- Short-Term (Working) Memory: handles active processing of information.
- Long-Term Memory: enables indefinite storage of information.

Types of Processing

Automatic Processing occurs without conscious effort, typically related to implicit memory.
Effortful Processing requires focused attention, rehearsal, and is linked to explicit memory.

Learning Techniques and Effects

Spacing Effect emphasizes learning distributed over time.
Testing Effect highlights the benefits of retrieval practice for retention.
Self-reference Testing involves personally relevant encoding and recall.
Chunking organizes information into familiar units for improved memory.
Hierarchies create structured systems of information by importance.

Sensory Memory

Divided into Iconic Memory (visual, lasts a few seconds) and Echoic Memory (auditory, recalls within 3-4 seconds).

Working Memory

Represents conscious, active processing of incoming data and information from long-term storage.

Memory Techniques

Rehearsal is the repetition of information to aid retention.
Limited Capacity of working memory is characterized by the "magical number 7" (±2).

Long-Term Memory

Can store unlimited amounts of information indefinitely.
Implicit Memory: contains conditioned memories, processed in the cerebellum.
Procedural Memory: muscle and skills memory, stored in the basal ganglia.

Explicit Memory

Comprises episodic (personal experiences) and semantic (general knowledge) memories, processed in the frontal lobe and stored in the hippocampus.

Amnesia Types

Retrograde Amnesia: loss of past memories.
Anterograde Amnesia: inability to form new memories.

Context and State Dependency

Context-dependent memory improves recall when conditions during encoding match those during retrieval.
State-dependent memory efficiency is enhanced when individuals are in the same mindset during recall.

Other Memory Phenomena

Mood-congruent memory allows better recall of information that aligns with current emotional states.
Serial Position Effect indicates that items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list are best remembered.

Memory Failures

Encoding Failure prevents information from entering long-term memory, hindering later retrieval.
Storage Decay indicates rapid forgetting initially, leveling off over time, as studied by Ebbinghaus.

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Description

Explore the essential concepts of memory including encoding, storage, and retrieval with this series of flashcards. Each card offers definitions and insights into key memory terms, such as recall and recognition. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of how memory works.