AP Psychology Flashcards: Introduction To Memory

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Introduction To Memory, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the function of the amygdala in memory?

Answer: The amygdala is involved in emotional memory formation. It strengthens memory consolidation for emotionally arousing events.

Flashcard 2: What is the spacing effect?

Answer: Distributed practice leads to better long-term retention. Spaced learning sessions outperform massed practice for retention.

Flashcard 3: Define storage as it relates to memory.

Answer: Storage is maintaining information over time. It preserves encoded information until needed for retrieval.

Flashcard 4: What is episodic memory?

Answer: Episodic memory is the recall of personal experiences and events. It stores autobiographical memories tied to specific times and places.

Flashcard 5: Define anterograde amnesia.

Answer: Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories. Brain damage prevents consolidation of new explicit memories.

Flashcard 6: What is a mnemonic device?

Answer: A mnemonic device is a memory aid using associations. It uses patterns, rhymes, or imagery to enhance memory encoding.

Flashcard 7: Describe procedural memory.

Answer: Procedural memory is the memory of motor skills and actions. It enables automatic performance of learned physical skills.

Flashcard 8: What is the decay theory of forgetting?

Answer: Memory fades due to the passage of time. Memory traces naturally weaken without reinforcement or use.

Flashcard 9: What is the method of loci?

Answer: A mnemonic technique associating items with locations. It links new information to familiar spatial locations for retrieval.

Flashcard 10: What is the definition of memory in psychology?

Answer: Memory is the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It encompasses how we take in, retain, and access information.

Flashcard 11: Define the primacy effect.

Answer: Better recall of items at the beginning of a list. Initial items receive more rehearsal and transfer to long-term memory.

Flashcard 12: What is the serial position effect?

Answer: Tendency to recall first and last items in a list better. Position in a sequence affects memorability due to attention patterns.

Flashcard 13: Define anterograde amnesia.

Answer: Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories. Brain damage prevents consolidation of new explicit memories.

Flashcard 14: Differentiate proactive and retroactive interference.

Answer: Proactive: old interferes with new; retroactive: new interferes with old. These mechanisms describe how memories compete and interfere.

Flashcard 15: What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

Answer: The hippocampus is crucial for forming new explicit memories. It consolidates new information into long-term storage systems.

Flashcard 16: Identify the three main processes involved in memory.

Answer: Encoding, storage, retrieval. These three sequential stages form the complete memory system.

Flashcard 17: What is episodic memory?

Answer: Episodic memory is the recall of personal experiences and events. It stores autobiographical memories tied to specific times and places.

Flashcard 18: What is a mnemonic device?

Answer: A mnemonic device is a memory aid using associations. It uses patterns, rhymes, or imagery to enhance memory encoding.

Flashcard 19: What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory?

Answer: The prefrontal cortex is involved in working memory and decision making. It coordinates complex cognitive tasks and temporary information storage.

Flashcard 20: What is the duration of sensory memory?

Answer: Sensory memory lasts a few milliseconds to 2 seconds. This extremely brief duration requires quick attention to transfer information.

Flashcard 21: What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

Answer: The hippocampus is crucial for forming new explicit memories. It consolidates new information into long-term storage systems.

Flashcard 22: What is chunking in memory?

Answer: Chunking is organizing information into manageable units. It expands short-term memory capacity by grouping related items.

Flashcard 23: What is encoding in the context of memory?

Answer: Encoding is transforming sensory input into a format for storage. It converts raw sensory data into memorable representations.

Flashcard 24: Define retrograde amnesia.

Answer: Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall past memories. Brain damage disrupts access to previously formed memories.

Flashcard 25: What is the difference between recall and recognition?

Answer: Recall is retrieving without cues; recognition is identifying from options. Recognition typically requires less cognitive effort than recall.

Flashcard 26: Define implicit memory.

Answer: Implicit memory involves skills and conditioned responses. It operates automatically without conscious awareness or effort.

Flashcard 27: What is the spacing effect?

Answer: Distributed practice leads to better long-term retention. Spaced learning sessions outperform massed practice for retention.

Flashcard 28: What is interference theory in memory?

Answer: Forgetting occurs because other information interferes. Competing memories disrupt retrieval of target information.

Flashcard 29: Describe short-term memory.

Answer: Short-term memory holds information temporarily for analysis. It serves as a workspace for conscious mental processing.

Flashcard 30: Describe short-term memory.

Answer: Short-term memory holds information temporarily for analysis. It serves as a workspace for conscious mental processing.

Flashcard 31: What is a flashbulb memory?

Answer: A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Strong emotions during encoding create exceptionally clear memories.

Flashcard 32: What is the capacity of short-term memory?

Answer: Approximately 7 ± 2 items. Miller's magic number describes typical working memory limitations.

Flashcard 33: What is the misinformation effect?

Answer: Memory distortion due to misleading post-event information. False information presented after an event alters original memories.

Flashcard 34: What is the decay theory of forgetting?

Answer: Memory fades due to the passage of time. Memory traces naturally weaken without reinforcement or use.

Flashcard 35: What is the testing effect?

Answer: Retrieval practice enhances long-term memory retention. Active retrieval strengthens memory traces more than passive review.

Flashcard 36: What is the method of loci?

Answer: A mnemonic technique associating items with locations. It links new information to familiar spatial locations for retrieval.

Flashcard 37: Define the recency effect.

Answer: Better recall of items at the end of a list. Recent items remain accessible in short-term memory during testing.

Flashcard 38: What is source amnesia?

Answer: Inability to recall where or how information was acquired. Memory content persists while contextual details fade over time.

Flashcard 39: What is explicit memory?

Answer: Explicit memory involves conscious recall of facts and events. It requires deliberate, effortful retrieval of specific information.

Flashcard 40: What is sensory memory?

Answer: Sensory memory is the brief storage of sensory information. It acts as a temporary buffer for immediate sensory input.

Flashcard 41: Identify the three main processes involved in memory.

Answer: Encoding, storage, retrieval. These three sequential stages form the complete memory system.

Flashcard 42: What is a flashbulb memory?

Answer: A vivid, detailed memory of an emotionally significant event. Strong emotions during encoding create exceptionally clear memories.

Flashcard 43: What is encoding in the context of memory?

Answer: Encoding is transforming sensory input into a format for storage. It converts raw sensory data into memorable representations.

Flashcard 44: What is semantic memory?

Answer: Semantic memory is the storage of general world knowledge. It includes facts, concepts, and general knowledge about the world.

Flashcard 45: What is the concept of cognitive load?

Answer: Cognitive load is the total mental effort used in working memory. It measures how much mental capacity current tasks consume.

Flashcard 46: Define storage as it relates to memory.

Answer: Storage is maintaining information over time. It preserves encoded information until needed for retrieval.

Flashcard 47: Differentiate proactive and retroactive interference.

Answer: Proactive: old interferes with new; retroactive: new interferes with old. These mechanisms describe how memories compete and interfere.

Flashcard 48: What are the two main types of long-term memory?

Answer: Explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative). These categories distinguish conscious versus unconscious memory processes.

Flashcard 49: What is the serial position effect?

Answer: Tendency to recall first and last items in a list better. Position in a sequence affects memorability due to attention patterns.

Flashcard 50: What is the misinformation effect?

Answer: Memory distortion due to misleading post-event information. False information presented after an event alters original memories.

Flashcard 51: What is sensory memory?

Answer: Sensory memory is the brief storage of sensory information. It acts as a temporary buffer for immediate sensory input.

Flashcard 52: What is the difference between recall and recognition?

Answer: Recall is retrieving without cues; recognition is identifying from options. Recognition typically requires less cognitive effort than recall.

Flashcard 53: What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in memory?

Answer: The prefrontal cortex is involved in working memory and decision making. It coordinates complex cognitive tasks and temporary information storage.

Flashcard 54: What is interference theory in memory?

Answer: Forgetting occurs because other information interferes. Competing memories disrupt retrieval of target information.

Flashcard 55: Define implicit memory.

Answer: Implicit memory involves skills and conditioned responses. It operates automatically without conscious awareness or effort.

Flashcard 56: What is the duration of sensory memory?

Answer: Sensory memory lasts a few milliseconds to 2 seconds. This extremely brief duration requires quick attention to transfer information.

Flashcard 57: What is the testing effect?

Answer: Retrieval practice enhances long-term memory retention. Active retrieval strengthens memory traces more than passive review.

Flashcard 58: What does retrieval mean in the study of memory?

Answer: Retrieval is accessing stored information for use. It brings stored memories back into conscious awareness.

Flashcard 59: Which brain area is involved in procedural memory?

Answer: The basal ganglia is involved in procedural memory. This brain region specializes in motor learning and skill acquisition.

Flashcard 60: What is the concept of cognitive load?

Answer: Cognitive load is the total mental effort used in working memory. It measures how much mental capacity current tasks consume.

Flashcard 61: What is source amnesia?

Answer: Inability to recall where or how information was acquired. Memory content persists while contextual details fade over time.

Flashcard 62: What is the capacity of short-term memory?

Answer: Approximately 7 ± 2 items. Miller's magic number describes typical working memory limitations.

Flashcard 63: What is the role of the cerebellum in memory?

Answer: The cerebellum is involved in procedural and motor memory. It coordinates automatic movements and skill-based learning.

Flashcard 64: Define the recency effect.

Answer: Better recall of items at the end of a list. Recent items remain accessible in short-term memory during testing.

Flashcard 65: Define long-term memory.

Answer: Long-term memory is the storage of information over extended periods. It has virtually unlimited capacity and duration.

Flashcard 66: Define the primacy effect.

Answer: Better recall of items at the beginning of a list. Initial items receive more rehearsal and transfer to long-term memory.

Flashcard 67: Which brain area is involved in procedural memory?

Answer: The basal ganglia is involved in procedural memory. This brain region specializes in motor learning and skill acquisition.

Flashcard 68: What are the two main types of long-term memory?

Answer: Explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative). These categories distinguish conscious versus unconscious memory processes.

Flashcard 69: Define long-term memory.

Answer: Long-term memory is the storage of information over extended periods. It has virtually unlimited capacity and duration.

Flashcard 70: Define retrograde amnesia.

Answer: Retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall past memories. Brain damage disrupts access to previously formed memories.

Flashcard 71: What is the role of the cerebellum in memory?

Answer: The cerebellum is involved in procedural and motor memory. It coordinates automatic movements and skill-based learning.

Flashcard 72: What is the function of the amygdala in memory?

Answer: The amygdala is involved in emotional memory formation. It strengthens memory consolidation for emotionally arousing events.

Flashcard 73: What is semantic memory?

Answer: Semantic memory is the storage of general world knowledge. It includes facts, concepts, and general knowledge about the world.

Flashcard 74: Describe procedural memory.

Answer: Procedural memory is the memory of motor skills and actions. It enables automatic performance of learned physical skills.

Flashcard 75: What is chunking in memory?

Answer: Chunking is organizing information into manageable units. It expands short-term memory capacity by grouping related items.

Flashcard 76: What is explicit memory?

Answer: Explicit memory involves conscious recall of facts and events. It requires deliberate, effortful retrieval of specific information.

Flashcard 77: What is the definition of memory in psychology?

Answer: Memory is the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It encompasses how we take in, retain, and access information.

Flashcard 78: What does retrieval mean in the study of memory?

Answer: Retrieval is accessing stored information for use. It brings stored memories back into conscious awareness.