AP Psychology 2.7: Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges

Question 1

Memory Decay

Answer 1

Stored memories fade over time if not retrieved or used.

Question 2

Forgetting Curve

Answer 2

Developed by Hermann Ebbinghaus; shows rapid initial forgetting, then slowing over time.

Question 3

Counteracting Forgetting

Answer 3

Reinforcement and review (especially distributed practice) slow forgetting.

Question 4

Encoding Failure

Answer 4

Occurs when information is never properly stored in memory, often due to divided attention or lack of retrieval cues.

Question 5

Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon

Answer 5

Knowing something but being unable to retrieve the exact word or name.

Question 6

Proactive Interference

Answer 6

Older memories interfere with recalling newer ones. (Forward acting)

Question 7

Retroactive Interference

Answer 7

Newer memories interfere with recalling older ones. (Backward acting)

Question 8

Repression

Answer 8

An unconscious defense mechanism where distressing memories are blocked from conscious awareness.

Question 9

Psychodynamic Theory

Answer 9

Suggests that memories may be repressed to protect the ego from distress.

Question 10

Distress vs. Eustress

Answer 10

Distress = harmful stress (negative events); Eustress = beneficial stress (positive events).

Question 11

Freud’s Personality Structure

Answer 11

Composed of the ego, superego, and ID.

Question 12

Ego

Answer 12

The rational part of the mind that balances demands of the ID and superego, handles impulses, and responds to external reality.

Question 13

Superego

Answer 13

Located in the preconscious; represents ideals, morals, and societal rules.

Question 14

ID

Answer 14

Located in the unconscious; driven by the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of basic drives.

Question 15

Ego’s Role

Answer 15

Mediates between ID and superego to make balanced decisions.

Question 16

Defense Mechanisms

Answer 16

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself and reduce anxiety, often by distorting reality.

Question 17

Repression (again)

Answer 17

Automatic process where painful memories are hidden from conscious awareness. May influence behavior subconsciously.

Question 18

Constructive Memory

Answer 18

Memory is not a perfect recording; it’s reconstructed with stored info + assumptions, expectations, and new inputs.

Question 19

Reconsolidation

Answer 19

Re-storing of a memory after it’s been recalled, during which it may be altered.

Question 20

Misinformation Effect

Answer 20

Memory distortion due to misleading or false information being introduced after the event.

Question 21

Accuracy Tip

Answer 21

To maintain accurate memory, take the memory challenge quiz and ego-ID-superego quiz for reinforcement.