Memory Models
The first stage of memory that briefly stores sensory information.
Sensory memory
Repeating information over and over to keep it in memory.
Maintenance rehearsal
A memory of an event that did not actually happen or is distorted.
False memory
A mental shortcut used to solve problems and make decisions quickly.
Heuristic
The smallest unit of sound in a language.
Phoneme
Memory that holds a small amount of information for a brief period of time.
Short-term memory
Connecting new information to information you already know to encode it better.
Elaborative rehearsal
When misleading information given after an event changes memory for that event.
Misinformation effect
The best or most typical example of a category.
Prototype
The smallest unit of meaning in a language.
Morpheme
The part of working memory that stores visual and spatial information.
Visuospatial sketchpad
Organizing information into meaningful groups to remember more.
Chunking
When old information interferes with learning new information.
Proactive interference
Judging the likelihood of something based on how easily examples come to mind.
Availability heuristic
The rules for arranging words into sentences.
Syntax
The part of working memory that stores verbal and auditory information.
Phonological loop
Remembering more when learning is spread out over time.
Spacing effect
When new information interferes with remembering old information.
Retroactive interference
The tendency to search for information that confirms your existing beliefs.
Confirmation bias
The brain area involved in speech production.
Broca's Area
The part of working memory that controls attention and coordinates the other components.
Central executive
Improved memory that results from retrieving information through testing.
Testing effect
The inability to form new memories after brain damage.
Anterograde amnesia
The tendency to think of objects only in terms of their usual functions.
Functional fixedness
The brain area involved in language comprehension.
Wernicke's Area