Memory Formation
The type of memory that requires your conscious attention and effort, such as studying for a test.
What is effortful processing?
Consciously recalled memories of facts and events, also known as declarative memory.
What are explicit memories?
Studying a little bit each day rather than cramming for a test is an application of this memory principle.
What is the spacing effect?
The unconscious encoding of incidental information, like the sequence of events during your day.
What is automatic processing?
Unconsciously retained memories, such as skills like riding a bike or classically conditioned associations.
What are implicit memories?
The enhanced memory that comes from retrieving information during a practice quiz rather than simply rereading your notes.
What is the testing effect?
Creating a vivid mental image for a term, like remembering the name "Schacter" by imagining him acting on a stage, is a type of this strategy.
What are mnemonics?
A brief sensory memory of visual stimuli, lasting only a few tenths of a second.
What is iconic memory?
The type of encoding that relies on processing the meaning of information, which leads to better long-term retention.
What is deep processing?
The memory process that organizes information into meaningful units, like remembering a phone number by grouping the digits.
What is chunking?
A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli that can be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds.
What is echoic memory?
The less effective method of encoding that focuses on a word's sound or appearance.
What is shallow processing?