AP Psychology Flashcards: Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does constructive memory impact memory accuracy?
Constructive memory can negatively affect accuracy because memories are built or reconstructed using various sources, which can lead to errors or distortions.
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How does constructive memory impact memory accuracy?
Constructive memory can negatively affect accuracy because memories are built or reconstructed using various sources, which can lead to errors or distortions.
What does the forgetting curve show?
The forgetting curve shows that forgetting occurs rapidly after initial learning and then levels off over time.
Name three reasons why memories can be difficult to retrieve.
Memories can be difficult to retrieve due to encoding failure, interference (proactive/retroactive), or inadequate retrieval cues.
What is the misinformation effect?
The misinformation effect is a phenomenon where misleading information presented after an event can affect the accuracy of the memory for that event.
If you learn Spanish in college and then find it difficult to remember the French you learned in high school, what type of memory challenge is this?
This is an example of retroactive interference, where new learning (Spanish) makes it difficult to retrieve older information (French).
According to psychodynamic theorists, what is repression?
Repression is the process where distressing information is forgotten to defend the ego from distress.
What is proactive interference?
Proactive interference is a type of memory interference where prior learning disrupts the recall of new information.
How do inadequate retrieval cues contribute to forgetting?
Inadequate retrieval cues contribute to forgetting because without the right prompts or hints, the brain cannot access information that has been stored in memory.
What is source amnesia?
Source amnesia is a memory error where an individual can remember information but cannot recall the source from which it was learned.
What is retroactive interference?
Retroactive interference is a type of memory interference where new learning disrupts the recall of old information.
What is meant by 'encoding failure' as a reason for forgetting?
Encoding failure refers to memory failure that occurs because the information was never properly processed and stored into long-term memory in the first place.