Psychology Chapter 7, 8 & 9 Flashcards

Memory Concepts

• Memory: Persistence of learning over time through encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
• Encoding: Process of getting information into memory.
• Storage: Retaining encoded information over time.
• Retrieval: Accessing information from memory storage.

Models & Types of Memory

• Atkinson and Shiffrin's Model: Includes sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
• Working Memory: An updated concept of short-term memory; involves manipulation of information.
• Central Executive: Part of working memory that manages and integrates information from long-term memory.

Types of Memories

• Effortful Processing: Encoding that needs attention and conscious effort.
• Explicit Memories: Facts and personal events that can be consciously retrieved.
• Implicit Memories: Skills and conditioned associations retained unconsciously.

Memory Retention Types

• Iconic Memories: Brief retention of visual images.
• Echoic Memories: Brief retention of auditory information.
• Chunking: Organizing information into familiar units for easier recall.

Memory Enhancement Techniques

• Mnemonics: Vivid imagery and organizational techniques to aid memory.
• Long-term Memory: Has virtually limitless capacity.

Memory Retrieval

• Recall: Retrieving previously learned information without cues.
• Recognition: Identifying previously learned items with cues.
• Retrieval Cues: Stimuli linked to specific memories enhance recall.
• Context Dependent Memories: Recall improves when encoding and retrieval contexts match.

Memory Interference & Errors

• Proactive Interference: Prior learning disrupts recall of new information.
• Retroactive Interference: New information disrupts recall of old information.
• Misinformation Effect: Distortions in memory caused by misleading information.

Cognitive Processes

• Cognition: Mental activities involved in thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.
• Concepts: Mental groupings of similar items, events, or ideas.
• Prototypes: Best examples of categories used for sorting new items.

Problem Solving

• Algorithms: Methodical procedures that guarantee problem-solving.
• Heuristics: Simplified strategies for quicker, though more error-prone, problem-solving.
• Confirmation Bias: Tendency to seek information that supports existing beliefs.

Emotional & Social Psychology

• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to perceive and manage emotions.
• Components of Emotions: Bodily arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.

Intelligence and Testing

• Aptitude Tests: Predict future performance based on capacity to learn.
• Achievement Tests: Assess knowledge or skills already acquired.
• Reliability and Validity: Measures of consistency and accuracy in assessments.

Developmental Psychology

• Longitudinal Study: Research involving repeated observations of the same subjects over time.
• Cross-Sectional Study: Research comparing different age groups simultaneously.

Motivation and Needs

• Motivation: Need or desire that drives behavior.
• Drive Reduction Theory: Motivation stemming from physiological needs prompting behavior to satisfy them.
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Framework prioritizing human needs from physiological to self-actualization.

Body Weight Regulation

• Set Point: Weight range the body tries to maintain through hunger and metabolic rate regulation.
• Basal Metabolic Rate: Energy output at rest.

Psychological Phenomena

• Narcissism: Extreme self-focus and self-importance.
• Empathy: Ability to understand others' feelings through imagination.

Cultural Elements

• Facial Expressions: Universal across cultures reflecting emotions similarly.
• Behavior Feedback Effect: Body movements influence emotional experiences.

Health Implications

• Obesity: Accumulation of excess body fat affecting health.
• Intellectual Disability: Limited mental ability signified by a low IQ and challenges in daily life.

Noteworthy Studies

• Cannon & Washburn: Studied physiological hunger signals through balloon contractions.
• Ancel Keys: Investigated the psychological and physical effects of extreme dieting on men.