AP Psych Unit 4 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is memory?
Memory is learning that has persisted over time; info that has been acquired, stored, and can be retrieved.
What are the 3 steps of memory?
Encoding, storage, and retrieval
Encoding
Getting info into your brain
ie: Learning/thinking about the steps to solve a math problem
Storage
Retaining info gotten from encoding
ie: memorizing how to solve a math problem (memorizing the formula)
Retrieval
Getting info back out (recalling it)
ie: recalling the memorized steps used to solve a math problem
Parallel Processing
Our dual track brain’s process in processing many things simultaneously
ie: as you enter the lunchroom, you are simultaneously processing info about the people you see, sounds of voices you hear, and the food you smell
What happens to your brain every time you learn something new?
Every time you learn something new, your brain’s neural connections change, forming and strengthening pathways that allow you to interact with and learn from your environment
The 3 step process in forming memories
Sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory
Sensory memory
The shortest of our memories, retains new info for a fraction of a second, holds a lot of information
ie: sights, smells, textures, etc. etc.
Short-term memory/working memory
The place we sort and encode information before transferring it to long-term memory or forgetting it
Long-term memory
There is NO LIMIT to the duration or capacity of info our long term memory can hold (with exceptions to injury and/or illness)
ie: where all of your knowledge on yourself and the world is
How do we build memories?
We build memories through encoding
Explicit memory (declarative memory)
Hint: E for Effort
Process of recalling memory encoded through effortful processing
ie: recalling personal events
Implicit memory (non-declarative memory) (PROCEDURAL MEMORY)
Process of recalling memory that doesn’t require a lot of effort (you already know it) (encoded through automatic processing)
ie: tie your shoes, turn on your car
What are the types of sensory memories?
The types of sensory memories are iconic memory and echoic memory.
Iconic memory
(seeing your icon)
Momentary sensory memory of VISUAL stimulus lasting only a few tenths of a second
ie: Sperling’s test
Echoic memory
(hearing an echo)
momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli lasting w/in 3-4 seconds
ie: zoning out in class->hear teacher ask you “what did I just say?!” -> you begin to recall her last few words
How many things can short term memory hold?
7 digits, 6 letters, 5 words, 18-20 seconds of info
What are the ways to help effortful processing?
Chunking, mnemonics, hierarchies, the spacing effect and the testing effect
Chunking
Putting info into smaller bits
Mnemonics
Use of vivid imagery and organizational devices to aid in memorizing something
ie: ROY G. BIV for colors
Hierarchies
A few broad concepts divided and subdivided into narrower concepts and facts
ie: the way your psych notes are laid out
Spacing effect
Retaining info when encoding is distributed over time
Testing effect
Retaining info through repeated self testing
ie: active recall
