Chapter 7

Question 1

encoding

Answer 1

processing of information so that it can be stored

Question 2

consolidation

Answer 2

neural process by which encoded information becomes stored in memory

Question 3

retrieval

Answer 3

act of recalling stored information

Question 4

long term potentiation

Answer 4

strengthening of a connection between neurons

Question 5

reconsolidation

Answer 5

memories are recalled and then stored again, can change

Question 6

3 stages of memory

Answer 6

encoding, storage, and retrieval

Question 7

sensory memory

Answer 7

very brief memory system tied to senses (aka iconic memory for visual or echoic for audial)

Question 8

short term memory/working memory

Answer 8

briefly holds a limited amount of information and keeps it available for use

Question 9

chunking

Answer 9

breaking down information into meaningful units

Question 10

long term memory

Answer 10

relatively permanent storage of information

Question 11

serial position effect

Answer 11

items presented early (primacy effect) or late (recency effect) are easier to remember

Question 12

schemas

Answer 12

structures in long term memory that help us sort and use information

Question 13

spreading activation model

Answer 13

stimuli in working memory activate specific ideas in long term memory, making retrieval easier for related terms

Question 14

retrieval cue

Answer 14

anything that helps a person recall a memory

Question 15

encoding specificity principle

Answer 15

any stimulus encoded along with an experience can later trigger a memory of it

Question 16

mnemonics

Answer 16

learning aids that improve recall through use of retrieval cues (mind palace

Question 17

different kinds of long term memory

Answer 17

explicit
-episodic
-semantic
implicit
-classical conditioning
-procedural

Question 18

prospective memory

Answer 18

remembering to do something at some time in the future

Question 19

memory transience

Answer 19

forgetting something over time, usually because we don’t use it and it gets pushed out by other information

Question 20

proactive vs. retroactive interference

Answer 20

proactive: old information inhibits the ability to remember new things
retroactive: new information inhibits ability to remember old

Question 21

blocking

Answer 21

temporarily blanking out on the name of a song

Question 22

absentmindedness

Answer 22

inattentive encoding of events because you’re not paying attention

Question 23

amnesia

Answer 23

vast deficit in long term memory

-can be retrograde (Jason Bourne) or anterograde (Memento)

Question 24

persistence

Answer 24

continual recurrence of unwanted memories

Question 25

memory bias

Answer 25

changing of memories over time so that they become consistent with current beliefs

Question 26

flashbulb memories

Answer 26

vivid memories of an arousing event