Memory Basics
What memory system temporarily stores and manipulates information while solving problems?
Working Memory
Explanation: Working memory is your brain's mental workspace. You use it when solving math problems, following directions, or making decisions.
Loss of memories before an injury.
Retrograde Amnesia
Explanation: "Retro" means backward.
Remembering information without answer choices.
Recall
Explanation: Essay and fill-in-the-blank tests require recall.
This theory says physiological arousal occurs before emotion.
James-Lange Theory
Explanation: Heart races → then fear is experienced.
Which theory states behavior is motivated by biological needs?
Drive-Reduction Theory
Explanation
Drive-Reduction Theory proposes that physiological needs create uncomfortable internal states called drives. People are motivated to reduce those drives and restore balance (homeostasis).
What process involves repeating information to keep it active in memory?
Rehearsal
Explanation: Repeating information helps keep it in short-term memory and increases the likelihood of transferring it into long-term memory.
Inability to form new memories after injury.
Anterograde Amnesia
Explanation: New memories cannot be stored effectively.
Identifying the correct answer from a list.
Recognition
Explanation: Multiple-choice exams rely heavily on recognition.
This theory says arousal and emotion occur simultaneously.
Cannon-Bard Theory
Explanation: Emotion and physiological response happen together.
Which theory states behavior is motivated by rewards?
Incentive Theory
Explanation
According to Incentive Theory, people are motivated by external rewards rather than internal needs.
Grouping information into meaningful units is called:
Chunking
Explanation: Chunking helps overcome the limited capacity of short-term memory.
Example: 4075551212 → 407-555-1212
Memory loss caused by psychological trauma.
Dissociative Amnesia
Explanation: No physical brain damage is necessary.
A song instantly reminds you of high school.
Retrieval Cue
Explanation: The song triggers stored memories.
Which theory includes cognitive interpretation of arousal?
Schachter-Singer Theory
Explanation: Emotion = arousal + cognitive label.
Seeking excitement when bored is explained by:
Arousal Theory
Explanation
Arousal Theory suggests people seek an optimal level of stimulation.
When stimulation is:
Which type of sensory memory stores visual information?
Iconic Memory
Explanation: Iconic memory briefly stores visual images after they disappear.
A person forgets their identity and may travel away from home.
Dissociative Fugue
Explanation: A rare form of dissociative amnesia.
Mental frameworks that organize information.
Schemas
Explanation: Schemas help us interpret new experiences and organize information into "buckets."
According to Cannon-Bard, what brain structure first processes emotional stimuli?
Thalamus
Explanation: The thalamus sends signals that create both emotion and bodily responses.
Feeling in control of your life is called:
Autonomy
Explanation
Autonomy is one of the three needs in Self-Determination Theory.
Autonomy means:
Which brain structure is critical for forming new long-term memories?
Hippocampus
Explanation: Damage to the hippocampus often produces severe memory formation problems.
Freud's concept of pushing painful memories out of awareness.
Repression
Explanation: A defense mechanism.
One memory activates related memories.
Spreading Activation
Explanation: Thinking about "dog" may activate "pet," "leash," and "bark." It triggers related ideas along connected pathways.
What brain structure is strongly associated with fear and emotional memories?
Amygdala
Explanation: The amygdala helps store emotional memories.
Believing intelligence can improve through effort is called:
Growth Mindset
Explanation
Psychologist Carol Dweck proposed that people with a growth mindset believe abilities can improve through practice and effort.
People with a growth mindset: