Psychology Chapter on Memory Fundamentals

Questions and Answers

What is memory?

The ability to remember the things that we experienced, imagined, and learned.

What is the information processing model?

A computer-like model used to describe the way humans encode, store, and retrieve information.

What are the steps involved in the process of forming memories?

External stimulus, sensory register, attention, short-term memory, repetition, rehearsal and coding, long-term memory, and retrieval.

What are sensory registers?

Entry points for raw information from the senses. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to pay attention?

The selection of some incoming information for further processing. Signup and view all the answers

What is short-term memory (STM)?

Working memory; briefly stores and processes selected information from the sensory registers. Signup and view all the answers

What is chunking?

The grouping of information into meaningful units for easier handling by short-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is rote rehearsal?

Retaining information in memory simply by repeating it over and over. Signup and view all the answers

What is long-term memory (LTM)?

Long-term memory that is more or less permanent, corresponding to everything we know. Signup and view all the answers

What is elaborative rehearsal?

The linking of new information in short-term memory to familiar material stored in long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What are schemas?

A set of beliefs or expectations about something that is based on past experience. Signup and view all the answers

What are episodic memories?

The portion of long-term memory that stores personally experienced events. Signup and view all the answers

What are semantic memories?

The portion of long-term memory that stores general facts and information. Signup and view all the answers

What are procedural memories?

The portion of long-term memory that stores information relating to skills, habits, and other perceptual-motor tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is interference?

When there is an interaction between the new material and transfer effects of past learned behavior, memories or thoughts that have a negative influence in comprehending the new material. Signup and view all the answers

What is decay theory?

A theory that argues that the passage of time causes forgetting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tip of the tongue phenomenon?

Knowing a word, but not being able to immediately recall it. Signup and view all the answers

What is retrograde amnesia?

The inability to recall events preceding an accident or injury, but without loss of earlier memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is anterograde amnesia?

A loss of the ability to create new memories after the event that caused the amnesia, leading to a partial or complete inability to recall the recent past. Signup and view all the answers

What is Alzheimer's disease?

A neurological disorder that causes severe memory loss. Signup and view all the answers

What is childhood amnesia?

The difficulty adults have remembering experiences from their first 2 years of life. Signup and view all the answers

What are flashbulb memories?

A vivid memory of a certain event and the incidents surrounding it even after a long time has passed. Signup and view all the answers

What are repressed memories?

The memory of a traumatic event unconsciously retained in the mind, where it is said to adversely affect conscious thought, desire, and action. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory Fundamentals

Memory encompasses the ability to retain experiences, imaginations, and learned knowledge.

Information Processing Model

Analogous to a computer, explaining how humans encode, store, and retrieve information.

Steps in Forming Memories

Formation involves several stages: external stimulus, sensory register, attention, short-term memory, repetition, rehearsal and coding, long-term memory, and retrieval.

Sensory Registers

Initial entry points for raw sensory information from the environment.

Attention

Involves selecting certain incoming information for deeper processing.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

Also known as working memory; a temporary storage space for selected sensory information.

Chunking

A strategy that organizes information into meaningful units, enhancing short-term memory capacity.

Rote Rehearsal

A memorization technique that involves repetitive verbal or mental repetition to retain information.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A relatively permanent storage of knowledge encompassing all learned facts and experiences.

Uses of Rote Rehearsal

Essential for preserving information in STM and useful for retaining conceptually meaningless material (e.g., phone numbers).

Elaborative Rehearsal

Integrates new short-term memories with existing long-term memories, facilitating better retention.

Schemas

Mental structures that encapsulate beliefs and expectations formed through past experiences.

Types of Long-Term Memories

Episodic Memories: Store personal experiences and events.
Semantic Memories: Retain general knowledge and factual information.
Procedural Memories: Contain skills and motor tasks learned through practice.

Interference

Occurs when previously learned material disrupts the understanding or recall of new information.

Decay Theory

Proposes that the mere passage of time contributes to forgetting.

Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon

A common experience where individuals can sense knowing a word but cannot retrieve it immediately.

Amnesias

Retrograde Amnesia: Inability to recall events before an injury while retaining earlier memories.
Anterograde Amnesia: Difficulty in forming new memories following an incident, while past memories remain intact.

Alzheimer's Disease

A neurological disorder characterized by severe memory impairment.

Childhood Amnesia

The phenomenon where adults struggle to recall experiences from their first two years of life.

Flashbulb Memories

Highly vivid and detailed memories of significant events, preserved even over long periods.

Repressed Memories

Traumatic memories that are unconsciously stored and can negatively impact conscious thoughts and behaviors.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of memory, including the stages in forming memories and the information processing model. It covers topics like sensory registers, attention, short-term memory, and techniques such as chunking and rote rehearsal. Test your understanding of how memories are created and retrieved!