Unit 5 Psychology

encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention

encoding on a basic level based on the structure or appearance of words

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten

a newer understanding of short-term memory that focuses on conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

retention independent of conscious recollection

Our interpretation and encoding of personal events.

Continued rehearsal of material after one first appears to have mastered it.

our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list

the encoding of meaning, including the meaning of words

the conscious repetition of information, either to maintain it in consciousness or to encode it for storage

incorporating misleading information into one's memory of an event

a process by which we first recall a generalized schema and then add in specific details

A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test.

the tendency to recover information more easily when the retrieval occurs in the same setting as the original learning of the information

The theory that information learned in a particular state of mind (e.g., depressed, happy, somber) is more easily recalled when in that same state of mind.

the disruptive effect of prior learning on the recall of new information

the disruptive effect of new learning on the recall of old information

in psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories

the repeated retrieval of an item of information from memory

tendency to better remember information relevant to ourselves

method of improving memory by associating new information with previously learned information

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

an increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

capabilities related to the acquisition and application of knowledge in problem solving

a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people

a mental image or best example of a category

A methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem.

a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than algorithms

a sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem

a tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past

according to Freud, a lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, in which conflicts were unresolved

the tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions; an impediment to problem solving

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind (perhaps because of their vividness), we presume such events are common

the tendency to be more confident than correct—to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments.

the way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments.

an individual's level of mental development relative to that of others

defined originally as the ratio of mental age (ma) to chronological age (ca) multiplied by 100 [thus, IQ = (ma/ca) x 100]. On contemporary intelligence tests, the average performance for a given age is assigned a score of 100.

The speed with which an individual can perceive auditory or visual information and respond to it.

our ability to reason speedily and abstractly; tends to decrease during late adulthood

our accumulated knowledge and verbal skills; tends to increase with age

The rise in average IQ scores that has occurred over the decades in many nations

a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype

individuals with mental retardation who are extremely talented in one domain

in language, the smallest distinctive sound unit

in a language, the smallest unit that carries meaning; may be a word or a part of a word (such as a prefix)

in a language, a system of rules that enables us to communicate with and understand others

Sentence structure

the first person to study memory scientifically and systematically; used nonsense syllables and recorded how many times he had to study a list to remember it well

made famous the phrase: "the magical number 7, plus or minus 2" when describing human memory

Gestalt psychologist that first demonstrated insight through his chimpanzee experiments. He noticed the solution process wasn't slow, but sudden and reflective.

Her research on memory construction and the misinformation effect created doubts about the accuracy of eye-witness testimony

Personality and ability depend almost entirely on genetic inheritance

1857-1911; Field: testing; Contributions: general IQ tests, designed test to identify slow learners in need of remediation-not applicable in the U.S. because too culture-bound (French)

creator of "g-factor", or general intelligence, concept

revised Binet's I.Q. test and established norms for American children

devised theory of multiple intelligences: logical-mathematic, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, linguistic, musical, interpersonal, naturalistic

intelligence; devised the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence (academic problem-solving, practical, and creative)

language development; disagreed with Skinner about language acquisition, stated there is an infinite # of sentences in a language, humans have an inborn native ability to develop language

Behaviorist that developed the theory of operant conditioning by training pigeons and rats

a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test