AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Psychology - Cognition, Language Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
15410744352memorylearning that has remained over time, information that's stored and can be retrieved0
15410746080information processing modelour idea of memory; takes after a computer. 3 parts to this1
15410747143encodinghow we get information into our brain (like a keyboard on a computer)2
15410748371storagehow we hold onto that information (like a hard drive)3
15410748941retrievalhow we get the info back out of our brain (computer's file system)4
15410750513connectionismthe idea that memories are made up of interconnected neural networks5
15410751679sensory memorythe immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system; like an after image if you have your eyes closed then flashing them open-and-closed again.6
15410753613short-term memoryactivated 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; encoded via rehearsal7
15410755622long-term memorythe relatively permanent storage of information8
15410756658working memorywhere we focus on information that is useful or needed right then9
15410760640automatic processingtakes place automatically, without any conscious effort on your part (know the way from a classroom to cafeteria and you walk there without thinking about it)10
15410767077parallel processingwhere the human brain can do many things at once (apart of automatic processing)11
15410769437effortful processingwhen we put in a purposeful effort to remember something; 3 components to this12
15410770796rehearsalsimply repetition13
15410771522spacing effectsays that we remember better if we space our study or rehearsal out over time14
15410773984serial position effectwhen trying to remember a list of something, you're more likely to remember the first and last ones; primacy vs. regency effect15
154107789053 types of encoding techniques for verbal information#1) visual encoding: refers to images and shapes #2) acoustic encoding: refers to sounds #3) semantic encoding: refers to meanings of words -most effective: semantic, acoustic, and then visual16
15410786248imageryvisual encoding involves ________. we can much more easily remember concrete things or words like dog vs. abstract words like honor17
15410787980rosy retrospectionthis is where the boring memories fade away and nice images remain (remember trip vs. the long wait in the airport)18
15410794651mnemonic devicestricks that help memory and are often visual based19
15410796966chunkingmemorizing things in small groups, rather than alone or in one large groups, rather than alone or in one large group (remember phone numbers in chunks)20
15410802495hierarchiesorganized structures; help us organize and thus to remember info. human brain likes order21
15410805405iconic memoryfor a brief moment the image remains "burnt" in our eyes22
15410807132echoic memorysound is briefly stored23
15410813652short term memory vs. long term memoryshort-term memory: lasts only a few seconds (can hold abt 7 bits of info.) long-term memory: appears to be limitless24
15410819723long-term potential (LTP)an increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation. Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory. the threshold is needed to achieve action potential is lowered due to LTP25
15410821445CREBprotein that can switch genes on/off with memory and connection of memories26
15410821966glutamateincreasing this neurotransmitter, may also increase LTP and memory27
15410823242flashbulb memoriesoccur at times of crisis, such as the events of 9/11. Brain takes a "snapshot," these memories also prove to be very accurate28
15410825221amnesiaability to form new memories29
15410827207explicit memory (declarative memory)consciously recalled memories30
15410827909implicit memory (nondeclarative memory)memory without conscious recall31
15410829419retrievalgetting information out32
15410830176recallability to call up stored memories (fill-in-the-blank test)33
15410831198recognitionidentifying something already learned (pinpointing a correct definition on a multiple choice test)34
15410834522relearninga measurement of time saved when learning something for a second time35
15410838764retrieval cueshelp us to pull information out of our memories36
15410848073priminggives us hints to unlock our memories (this could be nothing more than a keyword)37
15410849375context effectsrefer to the fact that we remember things in the context or setting in which they're normal (like knowing a person by name, than seeing them somewhere unexpected and not being able to recognize them)38
15410852403deja vutriggered by reentering a similar situation. rather than actually having been in a situation before, certain similar memories may be similar enough to make us believe we've been there before39
15410855688mood-congruentour moods are said to be ______. this means that when in a certain mood, it's easier to recall memories that fit that mood (when sad, you can recall other sad memories more easily)40
15410858532Hermann Ebbinghausgraphed the forgetting curve; at first, we forget very much very fast. then, forgetting diminishes, then finally levels off41
15410862593tip-of-our-tongue phenomenonhasn't been forgotten, it's in our memory, but we can't get it out. So it is a retrieval failure42
15410863710interferencecan hurt retrieval. its when something similar gets in the way of trying to remember something43
15413134479proactive interference(AKA "forward acting interference") takes place when something you've previously learned gets in the way of learning something new44
15413140140retroactive interference(AKA "backward-acting interference") takes place when new info makes it hard to remember old info.45
15413147831positive transfersomething learned at one time facilitates learning or performance at a later time (knowing a similar language can sometimes help you learn another)46
15413159464misinformation effectthis occurs when we're given a bit of wrong information, we often incorrectly remember things. Which can make it hard to tell what really happened or what we created47
15413173628imagination inflationoccurs when we repeatedly imagine something that happened, then remember it as though it actually did48
15413176914source amnesiaoccurs when we either can't or wrongly label the source of a memory. the memory is there, but we're not sure where it came from49
15413185455conceptssimplified mental groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, and people50
15413188008prototypeswhich are idea examples that sum up the concept51
15413193064trial-and-errormost basic technique of problem-solving. It might work but it is very random and takes a lot of time.52
15413196672algorithmgoing through step-by-step procedures and are guaranteed to find the correct answer. this will work but often takes a lot of time53
15413202535heuristics"use your brain." depends on problem, but often usually gets answer quicker. meaning you use prior knowledge to know what the solution can't be so you try combinations that are left54
15413208431insight learninganswer comes all at once, it happens when you're stuck but then for whatever reason, the entire answer just comes to you55
15413212242creativitythe ability to create ideas that are novel and valuable56
15413214398convergent thinkingnarrowing the available problem solutions to determine the single best solution (IQ tests)57
15413216385divergent thinkingexpands the number of possible problem solutions (creativity tests)58
15413219134confirmation biasthe tendency to seek our evidence that confirms our findings more eagerly than seeking evidence that refutes (or argues against) our findings59
15413224328fixationbeing unable to see a problem from a fresh perspective60
15413231723mental setthis concept influences how we think. It is our tendency to try and solve a problem in a manner that has worked in the past. this can be helpful to solve similar problems, but it can be hurtful when we think the problem is similar, but isn't61
15413245073functional fixednesswhere we think of things as only having their normal function. for example, we may feel we need a butter knife to cut the butter, but a fork would do just the same62
15413270180representative heuristicthe probability of how well something fits a prototype63
15413275122availability heuristicsays that we make our evaluations based partly on the ease with which we get the information on which we make them64
15413279624overconfidenceoccurs when we overestimate our knowledge and abilities65
15413285069belief perseveranceholding to one's line of thinking despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. simply put, it's being set in your ways (or stubbornness)66
15413289047intuitionplays a powerful role in how we think. it's our irrational, gut feeling67
15413294211framingthe way in which something is presented68
15413299030phonemesbasic sounds of language. English has 2 letters, but 40 of this (40 sounds)69
15413301305morphemesthe smallest units of language that have meaning; in some cases a phoneme is this, but usually it is made up of two or more phonemes70
15413305471grammara system of rules for a language71
15413306908semanticsmade of the rules that give us meaning from morphemes, words, and sentences72
15413309033syntaxmade of the rules we use to assemble sentences73
15413311024linguistic determinismour language strongly influences the way we think74
15413322378intelligencethe ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new experiences75
15413326110general intelligencethe idea that one general factor underlies intelligence, Charles Spearman76
15413329974factor analysisa statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items. In this case, Spearman uses it to try and measure "g"77
15413338656savant syndromepeople of low or exceptional abilities. often score low on intelligence tests, yet they can excel beyond imagination in other areas78
15413347828emotional intelligencethe extent to which people are self-aware, can manage their emotions, can motivate themselves, express empathy for others, and possess social skills79
15413354931intelligence quotientmental age/chronological age x 10080
15413361278achievement testsmeasure how much you've learned thus far81
15413369334aptitude testspredict how you'll do in the future82
15413371224standardizationevery student takes the same test under the same circumstances83
15413373997Flynn Effectthe rise in average IQ scores that has occurred over the decades in many nations84
15413375747reliabilitytest gives the same or very similar results every time85
15413379120validitytest measures what it's supposed to measure86
15413381947predictive validitythe idea that aptitude tests can accurately predict future performace87
15413387059down syndromea person with an extra chromosome88
15413389286heritabilitytries to measure the variation of difference in a trait that's inherited genetically89

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!