Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges - AP Psychology

A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Often inaccurate despite feeling extremely clear and confident.

Memory distortion. Memory becomes altered by incorrect post-event information.

A prompt or stimulus that aids in recalling information. Environmental or internal hint that triggers memory access.

The tendency for distributed study to yield better long-term retention. Spaced practice beats massed practice for retention.

Lack of retrieval cues or ineffective encoding. Context and cues present during encoding help retrieval.

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.

Hermann Ebbinghaus. German psychologist who studied memory and forgetting systematically.

A tool or strategy used to improve memory recall. Memory aid using familiar patterns or associations.

Blocking. Interference prevents access to stored memories temporarily.

Proactive interference is when older memories inhibit the recall of newer information. Old learning interferes with new learning.

Retroactive interference is when newer memories inhibit the recall of older information. New learning interferes with old learning.

Flashbulb memories. Clear, emotional memories that feel permanent but can be inaccurate.

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.

Hermann Ebbinghaus. German psychologist who studied memory and forgetting systematically.

Decay theory. Memory traces naturally weaken without use or rehearsal.

Infantile amnesia. Due to underdeveloped hippocampus and language skills.

Lack of retrieval cues or ineffective encoding. Context and cues present during encoding help retrieval.

Encoding failure occurs when information is not processed into memory. Information never enters memory due to lack of attention.

A state where one cannot fully retrieve a word but has partial recall. Knows the word exists but cannot access it temporarily.

Misinformation effect. Post-event information alters original memory content.

Source amnesia is the inability to remember where, when, or how one acquired information. Remember the fact but forget the context of learning.

A schema is a cognitive framework that helps organize and interpret information. Mental structure that influences how we encode and recall.

Explicit memories. Declarative memories requiring conscious effort to recall.

Interference hinders the retrieval of memories. Competing information makes target memory harder to access.

Repression is the unconscious blocking of unpleasant memories. Defense mechanism pushing traumatic memories into unconscious.

Retrieval cues aid in accessing stored memories. Environmental or internal prompts trigger memory recall.

Encoding. First stage where information enters memory system.

A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Often inaccurate despite feeling extremely clear and confident.

The inability to form new memories after a trauma. Brain damage prevents consolidation of new memories.