Memories

• memory - active system that receives information from the senses, puts that information into a usable form, organizes it as it stores it away, and retrieves information from storage
• 3 PROCESSES OF MEMORY
• encoding - process by which we convert sensory input into memory trace
• storage - process by which memories are retained over time
• retrieval - process by which stored memories are brought back to conscious awareness
• retrieval - process by which stored memories are brought to mind when needed
• 2 models of memory
• information processing model- the way information is processed through different stages of memory.
• parallel distributed processing model- focuses on simultaneous processing of information across multiple neural networks.
• Iconic sensory memory- visual sensory memory
• levels of processing model - they have to process its meaning first which requires more mental effort than processing just its "looks". focuses on the depth of processing associated with specific info.
• eidetic imagery-the ability to access a visual sensory memory over a long period of time.
• photographic memory-
• echoic memory- the memory of sounds and words, and the ability to repeat words and sounds.

  • brief memory of something a person has heard
• short term memory (STM)- holds information for a few seconds, can hold 5-9 items

  • IF SENSORY MESSAGE IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ENTER CONCIOUSNESS, IT WILL MOVE FROM SENSORY MESSAGE TO THIS STAGE.
• selective attention- ability to focus only on one stimulus
• masking- infos that just entered iconic memory will be pushed out very quickly by new information
• digit span test-series of number is given and it gets longer each time until the subject can't recall any number in order
• maintenance rehearsal-saying something over and over again to help you remember it
• chunking- grouping information into meaningful units, which allows us to remember more efficiently
• long term memory (LTM)- system where all info is placed to be kept more or less permanently
• elaborative rehearsal- rehearsing information in detail, using mental images. making it meaningful in some way
• 2 types of LTM-
• implicit (non- declarative) memory- procedural memories which includes skills, habits, or through priming. ex. riding a bike
• explicit (declarative) LTM- declarative memory is explicit, conscious, and conscious of the content of the memory. general knowledge ex. names
• 2 types of declarative memory

  • semantic memory- factual memories, meaning of words, concepts and terms ex. general knowledge
  • episodic memory- episodes in life. can be updated and revised . moments of your life that is super memorable and meaningful
• retrieval cue- any stimulus that helps retrieve an item from memory
• memory consolidation- process by which new memories are strengthened over time so they become long lasting
• state dependent learning- ability to recall info depends on state at time of encoding and retrieval
• state dependent learning- ability to remember something depends on the state of mind one was in while learning it
• encoding specificity principle- when we encode info into our long term memory, we are more likely to remember if we use similar retrieval cues as encoding.
• elaborate rehearsal- adding associations or meanings to info being learned
• 2 kinds of retrieval memory - recall and recognition
• recall- remembering information without any external cue
• recognition- the ability to identify a stimulus as belonging to a particular category
• serial position effect-
• recency effect- last items on a list tend to be remembered better than earlier ones
• primacy effect- first items on a list tend to be remembered better than later ones
• proactive interference- difficulty learning new material because it is interfered with by previously learned material
• false positives-a person thinks she recognized something but don't actually have that something in memory.