cognition (modules 31-36) Flashcards
memory
the persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
alzheimers disease
begins as difficulty remembering new information, and progresses into an inability to do everyday tasks
recall
-retrieving information
-a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier as on a fill-in-the-blank test
recognition
-identifying items previously learned
-a measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously, as on a multiple-choice test
relearning
-learning something more quickly
-a measure of memory that asses the amount of time saved when learning material again
overlearning
addition rehearsal of verbal information which increases retention
encoding
the process of getting information into the memory system
storage
the process of retaining encoded information over time
retrieval
the process of getting information out of memory storage
parallel processing
the brain’s natural mode of information processing for many functions
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 digits of a phone number
long-term memory
the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system
working memory
a newer understanding of short-term memory that add conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual information and of information retrieved from long-term memory
three stage memory model
- we first record to-be-remembered information as a fleeting sensory
- we process information into short term memory where we encode it through rehearsal
- information moves into long term memory for later retrieval
explicit memory
retention of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare
-also called declarative memory
effortful processing
encoding that requires attention and conscious effort
automatic processing
unconscious encoding of incidental information such as space time and frequency and of well learned information such as word meanings
implicit memory
retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection
-nondeclarative memory
iconic memory
a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli
-picture image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
echoic memory
a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli
-if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds
chunking
organizing items into familiar manageable units
mnemonics
memory aids, especially those techniques that use vivid imagery and organizational devices
peg-word system
mnemonic that requires you to learn a jingle
hierarchies
broad concepts divided into narrower concepts and facts
spacing effect
the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice
distributed practice produces
better long term memory rather than massed practice (cramming)
testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information
shallow processing
encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words
deep processing
encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words
-tends to yield the best retention
semantic memory
explicit memory of facts and general knowledge
-one of our two conscious memory systems
episodic memory
explicit memory of personally experienced events
-one of our two conscious memory systems
hippocampus
a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories
memory consolidation
the neural storage of a long-term memory
flashbulb memory
a clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant moment or event
long-term potentiation LTP
an increase in a cell’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; a neural basis o learning and memory
