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MCAT > Behavioral Sciences Ch. 3 > Flashcards

Behavioral Sciences Ch. 3 Flashcards

(74 cards)

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1
Q

Define latent learning

A

learning that subconsciously initially occurs without the presence of a reward, that is demonstrated spontaneously later in the presence of a reward

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2
Q

Define preparedness

A

when animals are best able to learn behaviors that coincide with natural behaviors

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3
Q

Define Instinctive/instinctual drift

A

when animals revert to instinctive behavior after learning a new behavior that is too similar to its instincts

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4
Q

Where are mirror neurons primarily located

A

Frontal and parietal lobes

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5
Q

Define mirror neurons

A

Neurons that are in charge of observation learning; they fire when someone performs an action and when they observe someone else performing that action

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6
Q

Mirror neurons are most likely involved in what processes

A

Motor processes and some in empathy

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7
Q

Define encoding

A

putting new info into memory

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8
Q

List the methods of encoding

A

1) visual
2) acoustic
3) elaborative
4) semantic

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9
Q

What is the weakest method of encoding?

A

Visual

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10
Q

What is the strongest method of encoding?

A

Semantic

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11
Q

Define elaborative encoding

A

Memorizing information by linking new info to knowledge already in memory

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12
Q

Define semantic encoding

A

Memorize information by putting it into meaningful context

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13
Q

Define self-reference effect

A

We tend to recall information best when put into context of own lives

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14
Q

Describe the loci mnemonic method

A

associate items on list with location along route

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15
Q

Describe the peg-word mnemonic method

A

associating numbers with items that rhyme or resemble numbers

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16
Q

Describe the chunking/clustering mnemonic method

A

take individual elements of list and group based on related meaning [i.e. OCADTG is DOGCAT]

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17
Q

Describe sensory memory storage

A

most fleeting, preserve info in original sensory form (mainly sight, hearing, and touch). Is highly accurate but short-lived (less than 1 second). consists of iconic and echoic memory

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18
Q

Define iconic memory

A

fast-decaying memory of visual stimuli

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19
Q

Define echoic memory

A

fast-decaying memory of auditory stimuli

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20
Q

How long does short term memory last (without rehearsal)?

A

about 30 seconds

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21
Q

How many items can your short term memory hold?

A

7 (give or take 2)

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22
Q

How can you increase the capacity of short term memory?

A

By clustering

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23
Q

How can you increase the duration of short term memory?

A

By maintenance rehearsal

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24
Q

The short term memory is housed in what brain structure?

A

Hippocampus

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25
How is information consolidated in the long term memory?
Via elaborative learning
26
What structure(s) are involved in long term memory? How?
Long term memory is primarily controlled by the hippocampus, but memories are moved over time back to the cerebral cortex, so that very long-term memories aren't affected by hippocampal damage
27
Define implicit/nondeclarative memory
Long term memory of skills and habits, i.e. conditioned responses that don't need to be consciously recalled
28
Procedural memory is a part of what type of memory?
Long term memory, particularly implicit/nondeclarative
29
Define procedural memory
Implicit long term memory that relates to our unconscious memory of skills required to complete procedural tasks
30
Define priming
presentation of 1 stimulus to affect a 2nd
31
Define positive priming
Exposure to first stimulus improves processing of second (associated with spreading activation)
32
Define negative priming
presentation of first stimulus interferes with processing of 2nd stimulus
33
Define explicit/declarative memory
Long term memories requiring conscious recall
34
List the four types of explicit/declarative memory
1) Episodic 2) Semantic 2) Autobiographical 3) Flashbulb
35
Define episodic memory
A type of explicit memory of recollection of life experiences
36
Define autobiographical memory
A type of explicit memory about lives and selves, including both semantic memories of personal life experiences and explicit memories of life experiences ???????????
37
Define semantic memory
A type of explicit memory of ideas, concepts, factors that are known but not tied to specific life experiences
38
Define flashbulb memory
explicit and semantic memory of detailed recollection of stimuli surrounding emotionally arousing event
39
Define retrieval
process of demonstrating something has been retained
40
Define recall
retrieval of previously learned info
41
Define recognition
process of identifying previously learned info, is easier than recall
42
Define relearning
Processing stimuli again to make it easier to remember (not a good definition)
43
Define spacing effect
Longer amount of time between sessions of relearning causes greater retention
44
Define semantic network
concepts linked together based on similar meaning, making retrieval easier
45
Define spreading activation
when one node of semantic network is activated, other linked concepts are unconsciously activated
46
Define context effects
memory is aided by being in same physical location where encoding took place
47
Define source monitoring
determines origin of memories and if they are factual or fictional
48
Define state-dependent memory/effect
retrieval cue based on performing better when in same emotional state when info was learned
49
Define serial position effect
primacy (ability to memorize first part of list) and recency (memorize last part of lists) effects
50
(primacy/recency) effects are part of short term memory
Recency
51
Define interference
retrieval error caused by existence of other similar info
52
Define proactive interference
old info interferes with learning new info
53
Define retroactive interference
new info causes forgetting of old info
54
Define source amnesia
inability to remember where, when, how, one obtained knowledge
55
Alzheimer's memory loss is (retrograde/anterograde)
Retrograde (most recent memories being lost first)
56
Alzheimer's is associated with the loss of ___ neurons in the ____
Ach; hippocampus
57
Alzheimer's is associated with ___ tangles and ___ plaques
Neurofibrillary tangles; β-amyloid plaques
58
Define β-amyloid plaque
incorrectly folded copies of amyloid precursor protein
59
Define Korsakoff’s syndrome
memory loss caused by thiamine deficiency, marked by retrograde and anterograde amnesia, and confabulation
60
Define confabulation
creating vivid, but false, memories
61
Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by ___
thiamine deficiency
62
Define agnosia
loss of ability to recognize objects, people, or sounds, usually caused by physical damage like stroke or multiple sclerosis
63
Define retention function
The recollection of events in the first 20 to 30 most recent years of an individual's life. This results in more memories for events closest to the present, a recency effect.
64
Define prospective memory
remembering to perform task in future
65
Define reproductive memory
Theory that memory recall plays out in unbiased linear fashion (like a film)
66
Define reconstructive memory
Theory that memory recall is impacted by imagination, semantic memory, and perception
67
Define misinformation effect
recall of event is less accurate due to injection of outside info into memory
68
Define intrusion errors
false memories that include a false detail not from an outside source, but rather is due to an intruding memory having elements interjected into an original memory
69
Define Source-monitoring error
confusion between semantic and episodic memory by confusing context of memory (i.e. when you hear a story and remember it as happening to you)
70
T/F: Infants are born with more neurons
True
71
Define long-term potentiation
strengthening of neural connections through repeated use
72
_____ receptor required to strengthen synaptic connections
NMDA
73
Long-term potentiation is associated with what receptor?
NMDA
74
The neurophysiological basis for long-term memory is explained by what phenomenon?
Long-term potentiation

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