Psychology Chapter on Memory

Study Notes

Memory

Memory is an active system that stores, organizes, alters, and receives information.
Memory retains learned things and experiences, but is selective.
Information Processing Theory of Memory:
- Encoding: Getting information into memory.
- Storage: Retaining encoded information.
- Retrieval: Accessing stored information.
Errors can occur at any stage, resulting in forgetting.

Simplified Model of Memory

Sensory Memory: Briefly holds an exact copy of sensory input.
- Iconic Memory: Visual sensory memory (½ second).
- Echoic Memory: Auditory sensory memory.
Short-Term (Working) Memory: Conscious, limited capacity (approx. 7 bits) for short durations (20-30 seconds).
- Easily disrupted.
Encoding Methods:
- Effortful Processing: Consciously encoding information (e.g., rehearsal).
- Automatic Processing: Encoding with little effort (e.g., time, events).

Encoding Position in a List

Serial Position Effect: Easier to encode first and last items in a list.
- Primary Effect: Better recall of early items.
- Recency Effect: Better recall of recent items.
- Middle items need more rehearsal.

Ebbinghaus's Forgetting and Retention

Ebbinghaus Curve of Forgetting: Forgetting is initially rapid, then levels off.
Ebbinghaus Retention Curve/Spacing Effect: Distributed practice yields better long-term retention than massed practice.

Interference

Interference: Learning some items can disrupt the consolidation of others.
- Proactive Interference: Earlier learning disrupts later learning.
- Retroactive Interference: Later learning disrupts earlier learning.

Encoding Specificity

Encoding specificity principle: Retrieval improves when the retrieval context matches the encoding context.
Mood-Congruent Memory: Recalling memories that match current mood.
State-Dependent Learning: Recalling information best when in the same physiological state as during encoding.

Long-Term Memory

Long-Term Memory: Stores vast amounts of information for long periods (unknown duration.)
Stored based on meaning and importance.
Long-Term Potentiation: Strengthening of neural pathways due to repeated use.
- Neurons that fire together wire together.
Network Model: Related ideas stored in interconnected nodes.
Memory Redintegration: Reconstructing memories by associating related ideas.

Constructive Processing

Constructive Processing: Updating memories based on logic, guesses, or new information.
Misinformation Effect: Misremembering due to misleading information or suggestions.
Pseudo-memories: False memories.
Flashbulb Memories: Vivid, detailed memories of significant events.

Explicit vs. Implicit Memory

Explicit Memory: Conscious memories of facts (semantic) and experiences (episodic).
Implicit Memory: Procedural memories (skills) unconsciously known.

Recall, Recognition, Retrieval Cues

Recall: Retrieving information without cues.
Recognition: Identifying information with cues.
Retrieval Cues: Information encoded at the same time as the target information.
Priming: Activating related memories.

Retrieval Failure

Forgetting can result from retrieval failure.

Improving Memory

Methods to improve memory are mentioned but not detailed.

Three Basic Elements of Cognition

Mental images, mental concepts, and language.

Thinking in Mental Concepts

Schemas (Piaget): Generalized ideas about objects or events.
Prototypes: Best examples of a concept.

Solving Problems

Insight: Sudden realization of a solution.
Obstacles: Framing, functional fixedness, belief perseverance.
Problem-solving Strategies
- Trial and error
- Algorithm
- Heuristics: Representative and availability heuristics

Patterns of Thought

Inductive, deductive.

Sternberg’s Components of Creativity

Expertise, imaginative thinking skills, venturesome personality, intrinsic motivation, and creative environment

Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking

Convergent Thinking: Finding a single solution.
Divergent Thinking: Generating many possible solutions.

Language

Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis: Language shapes thought and perception.
Components of Language:
- Phoneme: Smallest unit of sound.
- Morpheme: Smallest unit of meaning.
- Grammar: Rules for combining words.
- Syntax: Rules for sentence structure.
- Semantics: Criteria for meaning.

Language and The Brain

Broca's Area: Speech production.
Wernicke's Area: Speech comprehension

Theories of Language Acquisition

Behavioral Theory: Language learned through conditioning.
Nativist Theory: Humans have an innate ability to learn language.
- Language Acquisition Devices (LAD)
- Critical period for language acquisition.

Language Components

Surface Structure: Words and phrases of a sentence.
Deep Structure: Underlying meaning of a sentence.

Description

This quiz covers the key concepts of memory, including the information processing theory. Learn about different types of memory, such as sensory, short-term, and various encoding methods. Test your understanding of how memory functions and the potential for errors in encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Psychology Chapter on Memory

Choose a study mode

Podcast

Questions and Answers

What is the name of the phenomenon where memories are easier to recall when in the same physiological state as they were learned?

According to the Ebbinghaus curve of forgetting, how does the rate of forgetting change over time?

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to the formation of flashbulb memories?

What is the term for the phenomenon where previously learned information interferes with the recall of newly learned information?

How does the network model of long-term memory explain how we retrieve information?

What is the primary function of sensory memory?

What is the typical capacity of short-term (working) memory?

What distinguishes effortful processing from automatic processing?

How long does information typically remain in sensory memory?

What happens at any stage of the memory process that can lead to forgetting?