Memory Vocab

Question 1

Memory

Answer 1

the persistence of learning over time through the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information

Question 2

Recall

Answer 2

a measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test

Question 3

Recognition

Answer 3

a measure of memory in which the person identifies items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test

Question 4

Relearning

Answer 4

a measure of memory that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material again

Question 5

Encoding

Answer 5

the process of getting information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning

Question 6

Storage

Answer 6

the process of retaining encoded information over time

Question 7

Retrieval

Answer 7

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Question 8

Parallel Processing

Answer 8

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Question 9

Sensory Memory

Answer 9

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Question 10

Short-Term Memory/Working Memory

Answer 10

the process of getting information out of memory storage

Question 11

Long-Term Memory

Answer 11

the relatively permanent and limitless archive of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences

Question 12

Explicit Memory

Answer 12

retention of facts and experiences that we can consciously know and “declare.” (Also called declarative memory)

Question 13

Implicit Memory

Answer 13

retention of learned skills or classically conditioned associations independent of conscious recollection. (Also called nondeclarative memory)

Question 14

Effortful Processing

Answer 14

encoding that requires attention and conscious effort

Question 15

Automatic Processing

Answer 15

unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of familiar or well-learned information, such as sounds, smells, and word meanings

Question 16

Iconic Memory

Answer 16

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

Question 17

Echoic Memory

Answer 17

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds

Question 18

Chunking

Answer 18

organizing items into familiar, manageable units; often occurs automatically

Question 19

Spacing Effect

Answer 19

the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

Question 20

Testing Effect

Answer 20

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning

Question 21

Shallow Processing

Answer 21

encoding on a basic level, based on the structure or appearance of words

Question 22

Deep Processing

Answer 22

encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention

Question 23

Haptic Memory

Answer 23

sensory related to touch

Question 24

Olfactory Memory

Answer 24

sensory related to smell

Question 25

Gustatory Memory

Answer 25

sensory related to taste

Question 26

Semantic Memory

Answer 26

explicit memory of facts and general knowledge; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is episodic memory)

Question 27

Episodic Memory

Answer 27

explicit memory of personally experienced events; one of our two conscious memory systems (the other is semantic memory)

Question 28

Flashbulb Memory

Answer 28

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

Question 29

Priming

Answer 29

the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one’s perception, memory, or response

Question 30

Serial Position Effect

Answer 30

our tendency to recall best the last (recency effect) and first (primacy effect) items in a list

Question 31

Anterograde Amnesia

Answer 31

an inability to form new memories

Question 32

Retrograde Amnesia

Answer 32

an inability to remember information from one’s past

Question 33

Proactive Interference

Answer 33

the forward-acting disruptive effect of older learning on the recall of new information

Question 34

Retroactive Interference

Answer 34

the backward-acting disruptive effect of newer learning on the recall of old information

Question 35

Repression

Answer 35

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

Question 36

Misinformation Effect

Answer 36

occurs when a memory has been corrupted by misleading information

Question 37

Source Amnesia

Answer 37

faulty memory for how, when, or where information was learned or imagined

Question 38

Maintenance Rehearsal

Answer 38

process where info is repeated to keep it from fading in working memory

Question 39

Levels-of-processing-theory

Answer 39

info connected to meaningful LTM better remembered

Question 40

Imagination Inflation

Answer 40

“did I turn off the coffee machine or imagine?”

Question 41

Encoding specificity principle

Answer 41

the idea that cues and contexts specific to a particular memory will be most effective in helping us recall it

Question 42

Context/State-dependent

Answer 42

tendency for recall to depend on context of learning

Question 43

Mood Congruent

Answer 43

the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one’s current good or bad mood

Question 44

Chunking

Answer 44

organize info into small meaningful units

Question 45

Vivid&Distinctive Cues

Answer 45

trying to bring intentions to mind at moment needed