Psyc 2301 Vocab - Ch 7

Chapter 7: Memory memory – an internal record or representation of some prior event or experience information processing model – model of how memory operates; encoding, storage, and retrieval parallel distributed processing (PDP) model – this cognitive model holds that the brain performs multiple, parallel operations all at once; memory is spread throughout a weblike network of processing units levels of processing model – model that suggests that memory relies on how deeply we process information traditional three-stage memory model – model with three different memory stages (sensory, short-term, and long-term) that hold and process information sensory memory – this first memory stage holds sensory information. It has a relatively large capacity, but duration is only a few seconds short-term memory (STM) – the second memory stage temporarily stores sensory information and decides whether to send it on to long-term memory (LTM). Its capacity is limited to five to nine items. and its duration is about 30 seconds long-term memory (LTM) – this third memory stage stores information for long periods. Its capacity is limitless; its duration is relatively permanent chunking – the act of grouping separate pieces of information into a single unit (or chunk) maintenance rehearsal – repeating information to maintain it in short-term memory (STM) working memory – short-term memory; central executive, phonological rehearsal loop, and visuospatial sketchpad explicit/declarative memory – the subsystem within long-term memory that consciously stores facts, information, and personal life experiences implicit/nondeclarative memory – the subsystem within long term memory that consists of unconscious procedural skills, simple classically conditioned responses, and priming elaborative rehearsal – the process of linking new information to previously stored material retrieval cue – a clue or prompt that helps stimulate recall and retrieval of a stored piece of information from long-term memory

encoding specificity principle – retrieval of information is improved when the conditions of recovery are similar to the conditions that existed when the information was encoded long-term potentiation (LTP) – long-lasting increase in neural excitability believed to be a biological mechanism for learning and memory retrograde amnesia – temporary loss of memory as a result of brain injury; old memories are lost, new memories are ok anterograde amnesia – permanent loss of memory as a result of brain injury; old memories are ok, can’t form new memories Alzheimer’s disease – progressive mental deterioration characterized by severe memory loss retroactive interference – occurs when new information interferes with old information proactive interference – occurs when old information interferes with new information serial position effect – refers to the finding that recall accuracy varies as a function of an item's position within a study list; people tend to remember the words at the beginning (primacy effect) and the end of the list (recency effect) source amnesia – forgetting the true source of a memory sleeper effect – psychological phenomenon whereby a highly persuasive message, paired with a discounting cue, causes an individual to be more persuaded by the message (rather than less persuaded) over time distributed practice – spacing your learning periods with rest periods between sessions massed practice – cramming; time spend learning massed into long, unbroken intervals repression – the supposed unconscious coping mechanism by which we prevent anxiety-provoking thoughts from reaching consciousness mnemonic devices – a mind memory aid