Memory Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Memory involves encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
• The hippocampus is crucial for consolidating new memories.
• Short-term memory holds 7 ± 2 items for about 20 seconds.
• The primacy effect favors recall of early list items; recency effect favors recent items.
• Explicit memory includes episodic semantic memory.
• Retroactive interference impairs old memories; proactive interference impairs new learning.
• The forgetting curve shows rapid initial forgetting, then stabilization.
• Recognition is easier than recall due to cues.
• Context-dependent memory improves recall when environment matches encoding.
• Memory failure often results from encoding failure rather than decay.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Hippocampus — consolidates new explicit memories.
• Amygdala — processes fear and emotional memories.
• Prefrontal Cortex — involved in working memory and executive functions.
• Short-term Memory — temporary storage of 7 ± 2 items.
• Long-term Memory — durable storage, divided into explicit and implicit.
• Encoding — rehearsal, elaboration, organization.
• Memory Trace — physical change in brain representing stored info.