What is the spreading activation model
Andrew Campbell
Updated on March 26, 2026
For memory psychology
What is meant by spreading activation?
1. in neuroscience, a hypothetical process in which the activation of one neuron is presumed to spread to connected neurons, making it more likely that they will fire.
How does spreading activation theory describe the retrieval process?
It is proposed that the cognitive units form an interconnected network and that retrieval is performed by spreading activation throughout the network. … Level of activation in the network determines rate and probability of recall.
What is meant by spreading activation quizlet?
Define spreading activation. The process through which activity in one node in a network flows outward to other nodes through associative links.What is MCAT spreading activation?
Spreading activation suggests that, when a concept is activated, the activation spreads to concepts that are semantically or associatively related to it. Thus, people often retrieve unpresented members of a category when tested on their memory for a series of presented concepts from that category.
What theory suggests remembering information relies on spreading activation?
To account for associative memory illusions, IAR theory suggests that subjects may falsely recognize that a non-presented associate occurred in the list because activation of the list items has spread and has heightened activation levels of the associate.
Which is the best example of spreading activation?
For example, in the so-called spreading activation theory of semantic processing, knowledge that is needed to answer questions such as “Can a robin fly?” or “Is a penguin a bird?” is retrieved from such a network by activating the two nodes and having the activations spread between them until they meet.
What is the fan effect quizlet?
Fan Effect. The idea that as more data is collected on a concept (and this related) the longer it takes to recall a specific piece of data within that network. Response Competition.What is a semantic network in psychology quizlet?
Semantic network theory (DESCRIBE) a description of the organisation of information in long-term memory in terms of overlapping networks (grids) of interconnected concepts (nodes) ; activating one node during retrieval increases the likelihood that associated nodes become activated. Nodes.
Which experiment involves the use of classical conditioning?Pavlov’s Dogs The most famous example of classical conditioning was Ivan Pavlov’s experiment with dogs, who salivated in response to a bell tone. Pavlov showed that when a bell was sounded each time the dog was fed, the dog learned to associate the sound with the presentation of the food.
Article first time published onWhat is the term for the level at which a node in a spreading activation model will fire?
What is the level at which a node in a spreading activation model will fire? response threshold. Only $35.99/year. Participants are asked to memorize a list of words.
How does priming affect spreading activation?
Spreading activation operates on interconnected nodes within semantic memory. When one node is externally activated, activation spreads to related concepts, thus raising their baseline. Priming occurs when a pre-activated concept is presented as a target.
What is priming in psych?
In psychology, priming is a technique in which the introduction of one stimulus influences how people respond to a subsequent stimulus. Priming works by activating an association or representation in memory just before another stimulus or task is introduced.
Which of the following is not an assumption of the spreading activation model spreading activation?
Which of the following is not an assumption of the spreading activation model? Spreading activationincreases in strength over timeNodes in semantic network models representconcepts
What is priming MCAT?
Priming: a cue related to a semantic memory is presented in an attempt to prompt the memory. Neuroplasticity: the ability of the brain to form new connections quickly to encode memories.
What are semantic networks and frames?
A semantic network, or frame network is a knowledge base that represents semantic relations between concepts in a network. … It is a directed or undirected graph consisting of vertices, which represent concepts, and edges, which represent semantic relations between concepts, mapping or connecting semantic fields.
What is shallow and deep processing?
Depth of processing falls on a shallow to deep continuum. Shallow processing (e.g., processing based on phonemic and orthographic components) leads to a fragile memory trace that is susceptible to rapid decay. Conversely, deep processing (e.g., semantic processing) results in a more durable memory trace.
What is interference effect in psychology?
Interference is a memory phenomenon in which some memories interfere with the retrieval of other memories. Essentially, interference occurs when some information makes it difficult to recall similar material. Similar memories compete, causing some to be more difficult to remember or even forgotten entirely.
What is the main idea of levels of processing theory?
Levels of processing: The idea that the way information is encoded affects how well it is remembered. The deeper the level of processing, the easier the information is to recall.
What does the semantic network theory suggest?
The cognitive theory underlying semantic networks maintains that human memory is organized semantically, that is, according to meaningful relationships between ideas in memory. These ideas, known as schemas are arranged in networks of interrelated ideas known as semantic networks.
What is the semantic network theory?
A semantic network is a representation of memory that describes the organization of declarative facts and knowledge in the mind. A network consists of a set of nodes and a set of edges. Each node in the network denotes a concept in semantic memory, such as fish or purple.
What do semantic networks represent quizlet?
A semantic network is a knowledge representation technique used for propositional information. Allow us to structure the knowledge to reflets the structure of that part of the world which is being represented.
What is the metaphor often used for PDP models of memory?
A common metaphor for human memory might be called the “computer file” metaphor. On this metaphor, we store a copy of an idea or experience in a file, which we can later retrieve and reexamine.
What is memory trace strength?
Abstract. Tested the memory trace strength theory of suggestibility, which states that stronger memories are more resistant to suggestibility than weaker memories.
What are the formal models of memory?
NrFixed effectsSign0C, r, σ1C, r, r1, σ01aC, r, r1, r2, σ12C, r, r1, σ1
What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?
Classical conditioning involves associating an involuntary response and a stimulus, while operant conditioning is about associating a voluntary behavior and a consequence. In operant conditioning, the learner is also rewarded with incentives,5 while classical conditioning involves no such enticements.
What are the three stages of classical conditioning?
The three stages of classical conditioning are before acquisition, acquisition, and after acquisition.
What do you understand by classical conditioning theory?
Definition: The Classical Conditioning Theory was proposed by a Russian Physiologist Ivan Pavlov. According to this theory, behavior is learnt by a repetitive association between the response and the stimulus. … Here, an organism learns to transfer response from one stimulus to a previously neutral stimulus.
What is a node psychology?
a single point or unit in an associative model of memory.
What is depth of processing MCAT?
It has been shown that information that is processed on a deeper level (such as information that is personally relatable) is more likely to be remembered. This effect is known as depth of processing.
What is positive priming?
Positive priming (repetition priming) is a phenomenon whereby presentation of a stimulus facilitates processing on subsequent presentation of the same stimulus. Thus positive priming is evidenced by a faster or less error prone response to stimuli that have previously been presented compared with new stimuli.