Cognitive Processes and Memory Flashcards

Which memory system is responsible for storing general knowledge about the world, such as the fact that Paris is the capital of France?

Answer: Semantic memory

Semantic memory stores factual, conceptual knowledge independent of personal experience or context.

The 'levels of processing' framework proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972) argues that memory retention depends on:

Answer: The depth of encoding (shallow vs. deep)

Deeper, more meaningful processing (semantic elaboration) produces stronger, longer-lasting memory traces than shallow phonetic or visual processing.

A student can easily recall where she was when she heard about a major news event. This vivid, detailed memory is best described as a:

Answer: Flashbulb memory

Flashbulb memories are highly vivid, detailed recollections of the circumstances surrounding a surprising, emotionally significant event.

Which concept describes the tendency for items at the beginning of a list to be recalled better than middle items?

Answer: Primacy effect

The primacy effect occurs because early list items have more time for elaborative rehearsal and transfer to long-term memory.

Retrograde amnesia is characterized by:

Answer: Loss of memories that were formed before a brain injury

Retrograde amnesia involves forgetting of events and information that existed prior to the onset of the injury or illness.

According to Baddeley's model, the component of working memory that coordinates the slave systems and allocates attention is called the:

Answer: Central executive

The central executive acts as a supervisory attentional system that controls and regulates the other working memory subsystems.

The phenomenon where encountering a word or image influences the response to a later related stimulus is known as:

Answer: Priming

Priming refers to improved identification or processing of a stimulus due to prior exposure to a related stimulus.