Module 1 - Biological bases and memory Flashcards
What is a memory?
storage and retrieval of information
Episodic memory
the collection of past personal experiences that occured at a particular time and place
Semantic memory
the recollection of ideas, concepts and facts
- general knowledge
autobiographical memory
the memory for events and facts related to one’s personal life story
- a combination of episodic and semantic memory
emotional memory
emotion-memory interactions (emotional response to memory recollection)
- often important in episodic memory
3 main components of memory
1) encoding
2) storage
3) retrieval
Encoding
the processing of information so that it can be stored
Storage
creation of a trace of this information within the nervous system
Retrieval
the process of getting information out of memory storage
sensory memory
A type of storage that holds sensory information for a few second or less
- this occurs before information becomes stored in the short term memory
serial position effect
our tendency to recall best the last and first items on the list
Primacy effect
tendency to recall the first terms of list
Recency effect
tendency to remember words at the end of the list especially well
Short term memory
activated memory that holds a few item briefly before the information is stored or forgotten
long term memory
the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills and experiences
Working memory
a newer understanding of short term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual spatial information, and of information retrieved from long term memory
congruent idea
occurs when combining two different phrases but complement each other so it makes sense
elaboration
the process by which the subject organizes and relates new information to material that is already held in long term memory
depth of processing
the idea that information that is thought about at a deeper level is better remembered
- shallow: e.g. sound, shape
- deep: meaning (semantic structure)
elaborative encoding
the process of actively relating new information to knowledge that is already in the memory
schema
a mental framework-an organized pattern of thought - about some aspect of the world
- helps organise and encode details you read about
semantic network
a series of ideas that are linked together because of their meanings
Retrogade amnesia (H.M)
an inability to retrieve information form one’s past
anterograde amnesia
an inability to form new memories
consolidation
A hypothetical process involving the gradual conversion of information into durable memory codes stored in long memory
encoding retrieval context
A study which is associated with the environment of encoding information from a location then retrieval of the information in the same conditions and location and will result in a much better performance
Habits formation
is a process by which behavioral control shifts from goal dependence to context dependence
implicit memory (procedural)
conditioned associations and knowledge of how to do something
- memory is demonstrated through action
explicit memory (declarative)
memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and “declare”
Trace decay theory of forgetting
if a person does not access and use a memory, the memory trace will weaken or decay over time and will be less available for later retrieval
Forgetting due to interference
forgetting is due to the presence of other information interfering with retrieval or storage
retroactive interference
the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information
proactive interference
the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information
Spatial summation
if 2 input occurs at the same time, then the pulse activity (graded potential) that comes down this branch can add together
