Memory: Understanding Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval - Prof. Tyler James Towne, Study notes of Psychology

Download Memory: Understanding Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval - Prof. Tyler James Towne and more Study notes Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter 8 Memory Book Notes Memory: Learning that has persisted over time, information that has been stored and can be retrieved. To remember anything we must get information into our brain, retain that information, and later get it back out. Encoding: The processing of information into the memory system, for example by extracting meaning Storage: The retention of encoded information over time Retrieval: The process of getting information out of memory storage Atkinson and Shiffrin Memory Model 1. We first record to-be-remembered information as a fleeting sensory memory 2. From there, we process information into a short-term memory bin, where we encode it through rehearsal 3. Finally, information moves into long-term memory for later retrieval Sensory Memory: The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system Short-term Memory: Activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the 7 digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten Long-term Memory: The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system, Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences Working Memory: A newer understanding of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory - Associates new and old information and solves problems Automatic Processing: Unconscious encoding of incidental information such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information such as word meanings Effortful Processing: Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort Automatic would be like remembering where you ate dinner yesterday and effortful would be like remembering the chapter concepts Rehearsal: The constant repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage Spacing Effect: The tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better retention than through massed study or practice i.e. cramming isn’t the best way Serial Position Effect: Our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list Visual encoding: Encoding of images Acoustic Encoding: Encoding of sounds, especially words Semantic Encoding: Encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words We have especially good recall for information we can meaningful relate to ourselves Iconic Memory: A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second Echoic Memory: A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli Without active processing short term memories have a limited life, and capacity, usually only 7 bits of information at a time Long-term memory storage is essentially limitless Although the brain represents a memory in distributed groups of neurons, those nerve cells must communicate through their synapses Long-term Potentiation (LTP): An increase in a synapse’s firing potential after a brief rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory. After neuron is stimulated, the memory-circuit connections increases their sensitivity, and now the sending neuron needs less prompting to release its neurotransmitter, and the receiving neurons receptor sites may increase. Flashbulb Memories: A clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event Amnesia: The loss of memory Implicit Memory: Retention independent of conscious recollection Explicit Memory: Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare Hippocampus: A neural center that is located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage Recall: A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test Recognition: A measure of memory in which a person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple choice test Relearning: A measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for the second time Example: In 25 years it might be hard to recall people from high school but if shown their picture it would be much easier to recognize their faces and names Memories are held in storage by a web of associations, each piece interconnected with others. Priming: The activation often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory What we learn in one state (drunk or sober) may be more easily recalled when we are again in that state (Beerfest) Mood- Congruent Memory: The tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with ones current good or bad mood - When in a good mood are parents are great but when in a bad mood we cant stand them Aging makes encoding get worse When learning retention drops dramatically as time goes on but then eventually levels off (Spanish class); Stored memories can decay Proactive interference: The disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information - If you buy a new lock and try to remember the code, your memory of the old code of a lock might interfere Retroactive Interference: the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information - Its like when a second stone gets tossed into a pond right after the first one, and the new ripples effect the old ones Positive transfer is when knowing old information will help you encode new information like if you know Latin, it will help you learn French better Repression: In psychoanalytical theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety arousing thoughts feelings and memories