Psychology Chapter on Memory Types

Sensory Memory

• Holds sensory information for a brief period, allowing us to perceive the world as continuous
• Visual sensory memory (iconic memory) lasts about a fraction of a second
• Attention helps transfer information from sensory memory to short-term memory

Short-Term Memory

• Holds a limited amount of information for a short period of time (typically 15 to 30 seconds)
• Rehearsal helps extend the duration of information in short-term memory
• Can hold around 7 items (plus or minus 2), as proposed by George Miller
• Echoic memory refers to auditory sensory memory, and lasts a bit longer than visual memory

Working Memory

• A more active system that manipulates and processes information from both short-term memory and long-term memory
• Working memory involves the central executive, phonological loop, and visuospatial sketchpad
• The phonological loop is responsible for briefly storing speech-based information

Long-Term Memory

• A relatively permanent storage system of our knowledge, skills, and experiences
• Encoding failure happens when information never gets transferred to long-term memory
• Explicit memory (declarative memory) involves conscious recollection of information
• Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with recalling new information

Types of Long-Term Memory

• Procedural memory (implicit memory) refers to skills and habits, often learned unconsciously
• The central executive in Baddeley's model controls attention, coordinates information from other working memory components, and makes decisions
• Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with recalling previously learned information
• According to decay theory, memory traces weaken over time due to disuse

Forgetting

• Retrieval cues help access information stored in long-term memory
• Déjà vu suggests that there may be a mismatch between our conscious awareness and unconscious memory retrieval
• Explicit memory involves conscious recollection, while implicit memory doesn't require conscious recall
• Interference theory proposes that forgetting occurs because of interference from other information
• Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with recalling new information
• Even after forgetting, some information might be retained unconsciously

Memory Phenomena

• The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon indicates that information is stored but temporarily inaccessible
• The hippocampus is associated with déjà vu experiences

Prospective Memory

• Remembering to do something in the future
• Retrospective memory involves remembering past events
• Event-based prospective memory is triggered by an external cue

Errors in Memory

• Absentmindedness often involves lapses in attention
• Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories after an injury or event
• Spacing out studying sessions can enhance memory retention
• Organizing course content using techniques like outlining can aid in understanding and retention
• The encoding specificity principle suggests that remembering is enhanced when retrieval cues match the context in which information was initially learned
• The reminiscence bump refers to enhanced recollections for events experienced during the second and third decades of life

Autobiographical Memory

• A person's memory of their life experiences
• The episodic level in the hierarchical structure of autobiographical memory captures individual episodes, lasting seconds or minutes
• Flashbulb memories are vivid, detailed memories of events that are emotionally significant, but are not necessarily accurate
• Autobiographical memories often include personal facts and stories, in addition to factual information
• The personal level in the autobiographical memory structure is characterized by extended composite episodes, encompassing themes and personal narratives