AP Psychology

Memory Study Guide 1) Define memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. 2) Identify and describe the three major processes of memory? a. Encoding b. Storage c. Retrieval Encoding 1) Encoding putting information into our memory a. Define & understand the role that attention plays in our memory. i. Without proper attention, the encoded memory is not stored and cannot be retrieved. b. Define selective attention (umbrella girls) concentration on one thing makes you miss the things outside your concentration. i. Example: paying attention to something in a magic trick and then something appears somewhere else. c. Describe how levels of processing impact our retention i. Describe the three levels of processing 1. Structural emphasize physical structure physically see the words. 2. Phonemic what a word sounds like 3. Semantic easier to transfer into LTM with knowing understanding. 2) Enriching Encoding process a. Describe how Elaboration helps memory process. i. Explained things make it semantic so it sticks longer. b. Describe how visual imagery helps encoding process. i. STM & now sensory = 2 encoding better than one. c. Describe how self-referent encoding improves memory. i. Relate things to personal experiences to better encode it. StorageMaintaining Information in Memory 1) Need to understand how information flows from the different modes associated with the memory (sensory, short term, long term) 2) Sensory memory memory stored through visual observation. a. How is information processed in sensory memory? i. Hierarchal order and grouping. b. What is the duration of time that memories are stored in sensory memory? i. 20 30 secs. c. What is the capacity or how much input can be stored in sensory memory? i. Sensory memory can store

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d. Need to understand the significance & the design of Sperlings experiment i. 3 rows of letters flashed; wait for tone to report longer the tone less you remember. Short term memory is a limited capacity store that can maintain unrehearsed information for up to 20 seconds. a. How long can short term memories be stored without maintenance rehearsal? i. Up to 20 seconds. b. How long can short term memories be stored with maintenance rehearsal? i. 5 10 minutes. c. How many items can we usually store in our short term memory? i. 7 plus or minus one. d. Describe chunking and how it helps our short term memory? i. Large high ordered groups systematically remembered to increase STM e. Describe why in general the short term memory is called the working memory? i. Because the limited capacity and storage duration is still present of STM is in WM, but WM accounts for central executive system and the Episodic Buffer. f. Baddelys model of short term memory: 1. A more complex modular model of STM known as WM. ii. Describe the function of the central executive: 1. Controls the deployment of attention, switching the focus and dividing when need be. iii. Describe the function of phonological loop: 1. Early meanings of STM use sound to remember (how we acquire new language). iv. Describe the function of visuospatial sketchpad: 1. Temporarily hold and manipulate visual images (rearrange the furniture in your mind). Long Term Memory is an unlimited capacity store that can hold info over lengthy peiords of time (indefinitely) a. What is the capacity for LTM: i. Forever, will always remember, but may not fully recall over time. b. Define a flashbulb memory: i. An unusually vivid and detailed recollection of momentous occasions. c. How accurate are flashbulb memories? i. Some details totally incorrect. Understand the process of how Conceptual Hierarchy & Clustering work in organizing our memories. a. Multilevel classification system that helps recall in sequences. Describe the significance of schemas and how they influence our memory. a. Generalization of something what do you associate with . Distinguish between semantic network model & Connectionist Network (parallel distributed processing).

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a. Semantic Network consists of nodes representing concepts, joined together by pathways that link related concepts. b. Connectionist Network Follow PDP: cognitive processes depend on patterns of activation in highly interconnected computational network that resembles neural networks. Retrieval Process of Memory 1) How cues help us retrieve information: a. Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon forgetting information feels like its just out of reach. b. Context cues can assist retrieval anything that will help you remember what you need to remember. 2) Memory reconstruction Process memories are sketchy reconstructions that get more and more distorted over time. a. Describe Barletts study concerning memory reconstructions i. Subjects read story 2 times and waited for a brief period of time. 1. Wrote a brief summary without only important details & little changes. a. Reconstructed to fit the schema of the scenario. 3) Explain how schema influence memory reconstructions a. Your whole remembering of a story to fit the schema of the ending more. 4) Misinformation effect loaded words for you to automatically link the subject too. a. Describe Loftus experiment on the misinformation effect car crash vs. smashed cars. 5) Imaginations inflation Impact on memory of imagining an experience and then feeling like it did happen. a. Friend told a story, you think you did it too. 6) Source monitoring error when memory derived from one source is misattributed to another source. a. Rolling stone or New York Times? 7) Reality monitoring refers to the process of deciding whether memories are based on external sources (ones perception of actual events) or internal sources (ones thought and imagination). a. Did I pack the umbrella or think about packing it? Forgetting 1) How fast do we forget? i. We forget things rapidly, especially things we dont pay attention too. a. Describe Ebbinghauss study and its finding concerning forgetting. ii. Study nonsense syllables & quiz after. 1. Steep drop. a. Because he couldnt relate to the subject. 2) Measures of forgetting:

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a. Recall measure of retention, requires subjects to reproduce information without any cues. i. Free response question. b. Recognition measure of retention requires subjects to select previously learned information from an array of options. i. Multiple choice tests. c. Relearning memorize information 2nd time & records trials it take to relearn i. Leads to better and easier recall. Why do we forget? a. Describe how ineffective encoding leads to memory failure. i. Memory codes arent stored and as a result, people cant remember (didnt pay attention). b. Describe how the decay process works i. Forgetting occurs over time in STM Interference theory decay doesnt work with LTM, interference or learning on top of learning might change that. a. Retroactive interference new information messes with the old. b. Proactive interference Old information messes with the new. Retrieval Failure and forgetting a. Encoding specificity principle values of retrieval cue depends on how well it corresponds to the memory code. Repression & Motivated Forgetting Keeping distressing thoughts & feelings buried in the unconsciousness. a. Rape Amnesia extensive memory loss due to head injury. a. Retrograde amnesia loss of memory prior to event. i. Cant remember childhood after accident. b. Anterograde amnesia cant remember around the event. i. Ryno getting hit by Craig.

Recovered Memories Controversy 1) Summarize the argument that shows support for recovered memories a. People remember traumatic events and can help catch culprits. 2) Summarize the argument that is skeptical of the Recovered Memories controversy a. Most recovery is off and innocent people are accused. The Physiology of Memory 1) Describe how biochemistry effects memory: a. Chemicals in the brain as well as neurons help strengthen memory. 2) Describe role of synaptic connections in memory. a. Specific memories depend on biochemical changes that occur at specific synapses.

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b. Kandels experiment reflex to light seen in sea slug, transfer RNA over to other slug and it remembered. 3) Role of hormones in memory adrenal hormones affect memory storage by modulating activity in the amygdala all around brain. Neural circuitry and memory 1) Define Long term potentiation (LTP) and how it relates to memory. a. A long lasting increase in neural excitability at synapses along a specific neural circuit. 2) Role of hippocampus and memory a. Draws pieces of the memory together to be formed and the able to be recalled. b. Consolidation memory comes together from different areas of the brain to be formed & be able to be recalled. 3) Role of Amygdala and memory a. Controls our more primal emotions fear Different Types of Memory 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Declarative memory factual information Non-declarative memory or procedural memory memory for action, or skill Semantic memory general facts Episodic memory personal facts Retrospective memory remembering events of the past. Prospective memory remembering to do things in the near future.

Practical Aspects of Improving Memory 1) Mnemonic devices strategies to help remember (acronyms) 2) Serial Position Effect remembers first and last few tasks. a. Primacy Effect first items remembered better and are more influential when you continue the learning. b. Recency effect most recent studied material is the best remembered of the material. 3) Overlearning relearning will help you recall more. 4) Spacing Effect essentially studying little bit over a long period of time, is better than cramming.