Memory Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are implicit, explicit, declarative, and procedural memory?
Implicit memory: Unconscious memories, like skills and habits, that influence behavior without awareness (e.g., typing, riding a bike).
Explicit memory: Conscious recall of facts and events (e.g., remembering a birthday).
Declarative memory: Subset of explicit memory; includes semantic (facts) and episodic (personal experiences).
Procedural memory: Subset of implicit memory; for motor skills and procedures (e.g., how to drive)
What are sensory memory systems?
Iconic memory stores visual info for less than a second.
Echoic memory stores sounds for about 3–4 seconds.
These help your brain decide what to pay attention to.
What is the nature and function of short-term and working memory?
Short-term memory (STM): Temporarily stores 5–9 items for ~20–30 seconds without rehearsal.
Working memory: An active version of STM that manipulates info (e.g., doing math in your head or following directions).
What is the nature and function of long-term memory (LTM)?
LTM stores unlimited information indefinitely. It includes:
Declarative memory (facts and experiences).
Procedural memory (skills).
LTM supports learning, identity, and decision-making.
What is interference theory?
Memory loss happens when similar memories interfere:
Proactive interference: Older memories disrupt new ones (e.g., calling your new partner by your ex’s name).
Retroactive interference: New info makes it harder to recall older info (e.g., new address makes you forget the old one).
What is encoding specificity and why is it important?
You recall info better if the retrieval context matches the original learning context.
Example: Studying in the same type of environment as the exam room helps you remember more.
What is the levels of processing theory?
Deeper processing = better memory.
Shallow processing: Focus on appearance/sound (e.g., rhymes).
Deep processing: Focus on meaning (e.g., using a word in a sentence).
The more meaningful the input, the better it is remembered.
What is metamemory and its function?
Metamemory is your awareness of your own memory abilities.
It helps with planning study strategies, recognizing what you’ve forgotten, and improving learning outcomes.
What are reconstructive processes in memory?
Memory is not an exact replay—it’s reconstructed from fragments.
Gaps may be filled with assumptions or outside info, leading to distortions, bias, or false memories.
