Psychology Memory Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between sensory memory and short-term memory?

Sensory memory retains information for longer periods than short-term memory.

Sensory memory can hold information indefinitely while short-term memory cannot.

Sensory memory includes memories of past experiences, while short-term memory does not.

Sensory memory briefly holds an exact copy of incoming information, while short-term memory is the conscious part of memory. (correct)

Which of the following best describes 'elaborative rehearsal'?

Repetitive practice of information to keep it active in short-term memory.

A technique that focuses on linking new information to existing knowledge. (correct)

The automatic transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory without effort.

An approach that disregards the connection between new information and prior knowledge.

Which process involves the encoding of information without conscious effort?

Automated processing (correct)

Declarative processing

Maintenance rehearsal

Effortful processing

What factor can lead to encoding failure in memory?

Lack of importance assigned to the information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of short-term memory mentioned?

It can hold no more than about 7 bits of information for 20-30 seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is primarily involved in retaining procedural skills without conscious recollection?

Implicit Memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the Seven Sins of Memory?

Encoding Failure Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive strategy uses a step-by-step systematic procedure that guarantees a solution?

Algorithm Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when our memory is affected by the way a problem is presented?

Framing Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a sudden realization that makes a solution to a problem seem obvious?

Insight Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive process involves going from specific facts to broader general principles?

Inductive Thought Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive strategy is described as limiting the number of possible solutions to a problem using a shortcut?

Heuristic Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the tendency to best recall the first and last items in a list?

Serial Position Effect Signup and view all the answers

Which type of encoding involves focusing on the meaning of information?

Semantic Encoding Signup and view all the answers

Which concept states that recalling information is easier if a person is in the same physiological state as when the information was learned?

State Dependent Learning Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary implication of long-term potentiation in memory formation?

Repeated stimulation strengthens neural pathways. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of introducing misleading information into a memory?

False Memory Creation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is characterized by vivid recollections of emotionally charged events?

Flashbulb Memory Signup and view all the answers

What does the Spacing Effect suggest about the timing of learning sessions?

Distributed practice enhances long-term retention. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the updating of long-term memories based on new information or assumptions?

Constructive Processing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Memory

Memory is an active system that stores, organizes, alters, and receives information.
It retains learned information, experiences, and events.
Memory is selective; some information is retained, while others are not.

Information Processing Theory

Encoding: Getting information into the memory system.
Storage: Maintaining encoded information over time for later retrieval.
Retrieval: Pulling information from storage and making it available.
Failures can occur at any step, leading to forgetting.

Simplified Model of Memory

Sensory Memory: Briefly holds an exact copy of incoming sensory information.
- Iconic memory (visual): ½ second duration.
- Echoic memory (auditory): Short duration.
Short-Term (Working) Memory: Conscious, aware memory.
- Holds limited information (approximately 7 bits).
- Duration: 20-30 seconds.
- Susceptible to interruption and interference.

Encoding Strategies

Effortful Processing: Requires conscious effort.
- Maintenance rehearsal: Repeating information to maintain it in STM.
- Elaborative rehearsal: Linking new information to existing knowledge.
- Distributed rehearsal: Spreading out study sessions over time.
- Massed rehearsal: Cramming information in a short period, less effective.
Automatic Processing: Transfers information to LTM with little effort.
- Events, time, novel information.
Acoustic Encoding: Encoding by sound.
Visual Encoding: Encoding images.
Semantic Encoding: Focusing on meaning.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

Stores a vast amount of information over long periods.
Stored by meaning and importance.
Capacity: Relatively permanent and limitless.
Duration: Unknown, but memories persist for decades.
Long-term Potentiation: Strengthening neural pathways when neurons are frequently used.

Network Model of LTM

Related ideas stored in nodes (memory files).
Links create a vast network hierarchy.
Memory redintegration: Recalling memories by using cues and associations.

Constructive Processing

Updating LTM based on logic, guesses, or new information.
Reconstruction process can lead to inaccuracies.
Misinformation effect: Introducing misleading information alters memories.
Pseudo-memories: False memories created.

Flashbulb Memories

Vivid and detailed memories of significant emotional events.
Stronger memories due to high emotions.

Explicit vs. Implicit Memory

Explicit (declarative): Facts (semantic) and experiences (episodic) consciously known (Hippocampus).
Implicit (procedural): Skills and motor responses (Cerebellum).

Recall vs. Recognition

Recall: Retrieving information without cues.
Recognition: Identifying information with cues.
Retrieval cues help recall.

Interference

Proactive Interference: Earlier learning disrupts later learning.
Retroactive Interference: Learning new information disrupts recall of earlier information.

Encoding Specificity Principle

Retrieval effectiveness relates to encoding conditions.

Mood-Congruent Memory

Recalling memories better when mood matches encoding mood.

State-Dependent Learning

Easier recall when physiological states match learning states (e.g., caffeine).

Cognitive Information Processing

Mental Images: Sensory experience representations.
Mental Concepts: Generalized ideas.
Language: Rules for communication.

Thinking in Mental Concepts/Schemas

Organize information into categories.
Aid in quick judgments of objects.

Prototypes

Example that best represents a concept.

Insight

Sudden realization that leads to problem solving.

Obstacles to Problem Solving

Framing: Problem presentation impacts thought processes.
Functional Fixedness: Belief objects have a “fixed” function.
Belief Perseverance: Sticking to a belief despite evidence.

Problem-Solving Strategies

Trial and Error: Trying solutions without order.
Algorithm: Step-by-step systematic procedure.
Heuristic: Strategy limiting solution choices.

Representative & Availability Heuristics

Representative Heuristic: Judging based on resemblance to prototypes.
Availability Heuristic: Judging based on ease of recall.

Patterns of Thinking

Inductive Thought: Specific facts to general principles.
Deductive Thought: General principles to specific situations.

Creative Thinking

Fluency: Number of suggestions.
Flexibility: Shifting from one category to another.
Originality: Uniqueness of suggestions.

Sternberg's Components of Creativity

Expertise
Imaginative thinking skills
Venturesome personality
Intrinsic motivation
Creative environment

Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking

Convergent: One correct answer focused from many.
Divergent: Many possible answers.

Language

Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis: Language influences thinking.

Basic Elements of Language

Phoneme: Smallest sound unit.
Morpheme: Smallest meaningful unit.
Grammar: Rules for combining sounds and words.
- Syntax: Arrangement of words.
- Semantics: Meaning assignment.

Language and the Brain

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

Language Acquisition Theories

Behavioral Theory: Learning through association, reinforcement.
Nativist Theory: Innate language acquisition abilities (Language Acquisition Devices).
Critical Period: Optimal time for language learning.

Noam Chomsky's Theory of Language

Surface Structure: Words and phrases.
Deep Structure: Underlying meaning.

Contributors:

Elizabeth Loftus
Benjamin Whorf
Noam Chomsky
B.F. Skinner

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Description

Test your knowledge on memory systems, information processing theory, and encoding strategies. This quiz covers sensory memory, short-term memory, and the processes involved in retaining and retrieving information. Dive into the complexities of how we remember and forget!