All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify the term: A memory error caused by misleading information.
Answer: Misinformation effect. Post-event information alters original memory content.
Flashcard 2: What is the definition of a flashbulb memory?
Answer: A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Often inaccurate despite feeling extremely clear and confident.
Flashcard 3: Identify the term: Errors in memory due to false or misleading information.
Answer: Memory distortion. Memory becomes altered by incorrect post-event information.
Flashcard 4: What is the definition of 'retrieval cue'?
Answer: A prompt or stimulus that aids in recalling information. Environmental or internal hint that triggers memory access.
Flashcard 5: What is the spacing effect in memory?
Answer: The tendency for distributed study to yield better long-term retention. Spaced practice beats massed practice for retention.
Flashcard 6: State the main cause of retrieval failure.
Answer: Lack of retrieval cues or ineffective encoding. Context and cues present during encoding help retrieval.
Flashcard 7: What is the forgetting curve?
Answer: The forgetting curve describes how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. Shows rapid initial forgetting that slows over time.
Flashcard 8: Who developed the forgetting curve?
Answer: Hermann Ebbinghaus. German psychologist who studied memory and forgetting systematically.
Flashcard 9: What does 'mnemonic device' refer to?
Answer: A tool or strategy used to improve memory recall. Memory aid using familiar patterns or associations.
Flashcard 10: Identify the term: A decrease in memory performance due to interference.
Answer: Blocking. Interference prevents access to stored memories temporarily.
Flashcard 11: What is the definition of proactive interference?
Answer: Proactive interference is when older memories inhibit the recall of newer information. Old learning interferes with new learning.
Flashcard 12: What is the definition of retroactive interference?
Answer: Retroactive interference is when newer memories inhibit the recall of older information. New learning interferes with old learning.
Flashcard 13: Identify the term: Vivid, detailed memories of an important event.
Answer: Flashbulb memories. Clear, emotional memories that feel permanent but can be inaccurate.
Flashcard 14: What is the forgetting curve?
Answer: The forgetting curve describes how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. Shows rapid initial forgetting that slows over time.
Flashcard 15: Who developed the forgetting curve?
Answer: Hermann Ebbinghaus. German psychologist who studied memory and forgetting systematically.
Flashcard 16: Identify the term: Gradual fading of memory traces over time.
Answer: Decay theory. Memory traces naturally weaken without use or rehearsal.
Flashcard 17: What term describes the inability to retrieve memories from before age three?
Answer: Infantile amnesia. Due to underdeveloped hippocampus and language skills.
Flashcard 18: State the main cause of retrieval failure.
Answer: Lack of retrieval cues or ineffective encoding. Context and cues present during encoding help retrieval.
Flashcard 19: What is the definition of encoding failure?
Answer: Encoding failure occurs when information is not processed into memory. Information never enters memory due to lack of attention.
Flashcard 20: What is the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon?
Answer: A state where one cannot fully retrieve a word but has partial recall. Knows the word exists but cannot access it temporarily.
Flashcard 21: Identify the term: A memory error caused by misleading information.
Answer: Misinformation effect. Post-event information alters original memory content.
Flashcard 22: What is the definition of source amnesia?
Answer: Source amnesia is the inability to remember where, when, or how one acquired information. Remember the fact but forget the context of learning.
Flashcard 23: What is a schema in the context of memory?
Answer: A schema is a cognitive framework that helps organize and interpret information. Mental structure that influences how we encode and recall.
Flashcard 24: Identify the term: Memories that can be consciously recalled.
Answer: Explicit memories. Declarative memories requiring conscious effort to recall.
Flashcard 25: What is the main effect of interference on memory?
Answer: Interference hinders the retrieval of memories. Competing information makes target memory harder to access.
Flashcard 26: What is the definition of repression according to Freud?
Answer: Repression is the unconscious blocking of unpleasant memories. Defense mechanism pushing traumatic memories into unconscious.
Flashcard 27: What is the role of retrieval cues in memory?
Answer: Retrieval cues aid in accessing stored memories. Environmental or internal prompts trigger memory recall.
Flashcard 28: Which memory process involves transforming information into a storable format?
Answer: Encoding. First stage where information enters memory system.
Flashcard 29: What is the definition of a flashbulb memory?
Answer: A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Often inaccurate despite feeling extremely clear and confident.
Flashcard 30: What does the term 'anterograde amnesia' refer to?
Answer: The inability to form new memories after a trauma. Brain damage prevents consolidation of new memories.