Psych Chapter 8
Hypothesis
A testable prediction, often derived from a theory
Stage Model of Memory
A description of memory as consisting of a series of successive stages, such as sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory
False Memory
A distorted or inaccurate memory that feels completely real and is often accompanied by all the emotional impact of a real memory
Short-term Memory
A limited-capacity storehouse of the memory system, which holds the information that is in our current conscious awareness
MRI Scan
A magnetic resonance imaging scan, produced through a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish between different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain
Recall
A measure of memory in which one must retrieve information learned earlier as on a fill-in-the-blank test
Recognition
A measure of memory in which one need only identify items previously learned, as in a multiple-choice test
Suggestibility
A memory distortion in which people's existing memories can be altered by exposing them to misleading information; also called the misinformation effect
Misinformation Effect
A memory distortion phenomenon in which people's existing memories can be altered by exposing them to misleading information; based on suggestibility
Source Confusion
A memory distortion that occurs when the true source of the memory is forgotten; also called source amnesia; based on misattribution
Misattribution
A memory distortion that occurs when the true source of the memory is forgotten; also called source confusion or source amnesia
Iconic Memory
A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
Hippocampus
A neural region within the medial temporal area of the brain; part of the limbic system; is important in the processing of explicit memories for storage
PET Scan
A positron emission tomography scan that visually displays brain activity by detecting where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
Declarative Memory
The form of memory that processes facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"
Sensory Memory
The immediate, initial recording of sensory information in memory
Sensory Memory
The immediate, initial recording of sensory information in the memory system
Sensory Memory
The initial recording and very brief storage of information from the outside world
Medial Temporal Area
The inner area of the temporal lobe that stores verbal memories. Damage to this region (including the hippocampus) causes profound impairment of the ability to form new explicit memories
Retrograde Amnesia
The loss of memory for events occurring before some damage or disruption to the brain
Storage
The maintenance of encoded information over time
Occipital Lobe
The primary visual processing center. The occipital lobe is activated during the encoding and retrieval of actual memories of visual events
Consolidation
The process of converting temporary memories into permanent structural changes in the brain
Encoding
The process of getting information in to memory storage, for example by extracting meaning
Encoding
The process of getting information into memory storage, for example by extracting meaning
Retrieval
The process of getting information out of memory storage
Encoding
The processing of information into the memory system, for example by extracting meaning
Long-term Memory
The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of memories
Long-Term Memory
The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system
Memory
The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system
Longe-term memory
The relatively permanent and unlimited-capacity storehouse of the memory system
Storage
The retention of encoded information in memory over time
storage
The retention of encoded information over time
Recall
To get information out of memory storage
Retrieve
To get information out of memory storage
Encode
To process information into the memory system, for example by extracting meaning
working memory
temporary storage of information that is being actively processed
chunking
the memory technique of organizing material into familiar, meaningful units
Anterograde Amnesia
Difficulty in forming new memories for events occurring after some damage or disruption to the brain
Short-Term Memory
Activated memory that holds about 5 to 9 items for up to about 30 seconds, while the items are being processed for storage in long-term memory
Long-term Potentiation (LTP)
An increase in a synapse's firing potential following brief, rapid stimulation; believed to be the neural basis for learning and memory
Conditioned Responses
Behaviors or emotions that occur automatically as reactions to outside events as a result of past associations
Serial Position Effect
Better recall of the first and last items in a list than the items in the middle of the list
Cerebellum
Comprises the lower rear portion of the brain; plays a role in the processing and storage of implicit memories
Interference
Failure to encode, store, or retrieve items because of interference from items learned before or after
Semantic Memory
General knowledge about the world, including knowledge about language, that isn't identified with a particular event in your life. Examples: remembering word definitions or science facts
Episodic Memory
Knowledge of the specific events or episodes in your own life history (part of explicit memory)
Explicit Memory
Long-term memory for facts and personal experiences that can be consciously retrieved; also called declarative memory
Implicit Memory
Long-term memory of skills, preferences, and dispositions; does not require conscious awareness; also called non declarative memory
Amnesia
Loss of memory
Procedural Memory
Memory of highly practiced skills. Examples: riding a bike, typing, or playing a musical instrument
Cued Recall
Memory task in which a visual or auditory cue indicates the specific set of items that are to be reported
Partial Recall
Memory task in which only a specific set of items are to be reported
Delayed Partial Report
Memory task in which the information to be remembered is removed before the appearance of a visual or auditory cue indicating the specific set of items that are to be reported
Free Recall
Memory task in which the items can be reported in any order
Short-Term memory
Memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is permanently stored or forgotten
Attention
Selective perception
Frontal Lobe
The "source monitor" or "reality monitor" of the brain. Damage to this area causes partial impairment of the sources of explicit memory, specifically, the ability to recall the source (for example, a dream, a conversation, or an actual personal experience) of facts and events
Rehearsal
The conscious, effortful repetition or processing of information that you are trying either to maintain in consciousness or to encode for 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
