AP Psychology Memory Notes Unit 7

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Memory-The process of learning, storing, and retrieving information over time a. Major components of making a memory i. Encoding-the process of receiving information that is mixed and/or complex ii. Storage-retention of encoded information over time iii. Retrieval-the capacity to recall information from storage b. Types of memory i. Sensory memory-short lived recording of sensory information ii. Short-term memory-contains information for the duration of its usefulness and is encoded for storage or lost iii. Long-term memory-storage space for high valued information that can be retrieved long after its been encoded c. Two of the most important models: i. The three-box/information processing model ii. Levels of processing model d. Eidetic Memory-photographic memory Memory stages a. Sensory memory (stage 1) i. Split-second holding tank ii. The information your senses are processing right now is held in sensory memory less than a second iii. George Sperling did experiments, showed iconic memory a split-second perfect photograph of a scene iv. Other experiments indicate echoic memory split-second memory for sounds v. Most of the information in sensory memory is not encoded vi. Selective attention determines which sensory messages get encoded b. Short-term/Working Memory (stage 2) i. Memories we are currently working with ii. Temporary, they usually fade in 10 to 30 seconds iii. Capacity is limited on average to around seven items (7+/-) iv. Events are encoded as visual codes, acoustic codes, or semantic codes v. Capacity can be expanded through chunking vi. Maintenance Rehearsal repeating information over and over, rehearsal, chunking vii. Elaborative rehearsal relating information to information in the long-term memory c. Long-term Memory (stage 3) i. Permanent storage ii. Capacity is unlimited iii. Memories can decay or fade iv. Stored in three different formats

AP Psychology Memory Notes Unit 7 1. Episodic memory -memories of specific events stored in a sequential series of events 2. Semantic memory -general knowledge of the world stored as facts, meanings, or categories rather than sequentially 3. Procedural Memory -memories of skills and how to perform them v. Memory Control 1. Implicit Memories- also called non-declarative memories, are unintentional memories that we might not even realize we have a. Priming Effects-processing of specific information is influenced by prior exposure to the same or similar information 2. Explicit Memories- also called declarative, conscious memories of facts or events Encoding-the process of receiving a sensory input and transmitting that input into a memory a. Spacing Effect-the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention is achieved through mass study and practice b. Serial Position Effect-tendency to recall the first and last items in a list c. Verbal Representation-memories stored through words instead of images d. Encoding Processing i. Automatic processing-processing information into your memory without effort or thought 1. Space-remembering where you stopped on a page you were reading. 2. Time-noting the sequence of events that occurred during the day 3. Frequency-keeping track of how often something happens 4. Well-learned information-reading and placing value on words without thinking about it ii. Effortful processing-encoding that requires attention and conscious effort 1. Rehearsal-conscious repetition required to place a memory in long-term e. Encoding Formats i. Declarative Memory-memory used to store conversations, facts, and events. ii. Procedural Memory-memory used to follow a process f. Three forms of encoding: i. Visual encoding-encoding pictures or images 1. Imagery-creating a mental picture to aide effortful processing 2. Mnemonic devices-utilize imagery as a method of remembering ii. Acoustic encoding-encoding sounds, primarily words 1. Chunking-organizing information into manageable units, often done automatically without any thought iii. Semantic encoding-encoding the meaning and value of words g. Encoding Specificity-the memory can only be recalled through the context in which it was created. Storage-area of the memory used to hold onto memories for future use

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AP Psychology Memory Notes Unit 7 a. Long term Potentation-increase in synaptic firing potential after a brief stimulation. This is the basis for learning and memory. b. Rehearsal-using effort to place information in long-term storage (studying) c. Mediating Factors-Cues used to organize two items V. Retrieval-the ability to extract a memory from long-term memory for use in the working memory a. Retrieval Paths-path of recall that happens when a memory is first created. b. Mnemonic devices-used to remember information that is complex or complicated c. Method of Loci-a learner visualizes what he or she wants to remember d. SQ3R-Five step method for remembering i. Survey-look over the information before you read it to give you and idea of what is to be expected ii. Question-using a question to import information into your long term memory iii. Read-survey the information, taking notes as you go iv. Recite-mentally or verbally answer the question you posed to yourself and rehearse that answer to achieve storage v. Review-Recall your question and relate the information to your own personal experience to make retention more likely e. Familiarity-the stimuli that caused the memory has been encountered before f. Retrieval Cues-stimuli or thoughts that can be used to stimulate retrieval VI. Forgetting-the loss of a memory a. Interference Theory-memories are prevented from being brought to the surface b. Decay Theory-memories disappear over time c. Proactive Interference-Previously learned information interferes with the processing of new information d. Retroactive Interference-the last few items learned may interfere with the recall of earlier items e. Retention interval-the amount of time that elapses between learning and retrieval f. Retrieving failure-complete inability to recall a fact or event g. Tip-of-the-tongue Effect-incomplete forgetting that implies we remember some aspects of the information, but not all of it. h. Misinformation Effect-inaccurate information that can be placed into a memory i. Intrusion-misinformation inserts new ideas into a memory, changing the construct of that memory j. Overwriting-the original memory is lost to the new, artificial, memory k. Retrograde Amnesia-victims of blunt force trauma cannot remember what happened to them before the event l. Antrograde Amnesia-we forget what happens after an event has occurred m. Koraskoffs Syndrome-amnesia caused by chronic alcohol use VII. Network of Associations-clusters of interconnected information stored in long-term memory

AP Psychology Memory Notes Unit 7 a. Nodes-clusters of pieces of information along a network of associations b. Spreading Activation Theory-presentation of a stimulus triggers activation of closely related nodes. c. Nodal Hierarchy-nodes are placed in order of understanding for us to process stimuli and memories VIII. Emotional Memory-intense emotional experiences cause a memory to develop a. Flashbulb Memory-event that occurs that is distinctive and emotional