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Table of content
Content page
1 Semantic network theory0---------------------------1
1.1 Historical background -----------------------1
1.2 Example of a semantic network------------1
2.What Is a Synonym?----------------------------------5
2.1 Why Is Using Synonyms Important?------5
2.2 Benefits of Using Synonyms in Writing---5
3 what is repression?------------------------------------7
3.1 Repression vs. Suppression------------------8
Module introduction
This module focuses on 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 Semantics within psychology is the
study of how meaning is stored in the mind. Semantic memory is a
type of long-term declarative memory that refers to facts or ideas
which are not immediately drawn from personal experience. It was
first theorized in 1972 by W. Donaldson and Endel Tulving. Tulving
employs the word semantic to describe a system of memory that
involves “words and verbal symbols, their meanings and referents,
the relations between them, and the rules, formulas, or algorithms for
influencing them.
A basicssemantic network is used when one has knowledge that is
best understood as a set of concepts that are related to one another.
Most semantic networks are cognitively based. They also consist of
arcs and nodes which can be organized into a taxonomic hierarchy.
Semantic networks contributed ideas of spreading
activation, inheritance, and nodes as proto-objects. Information is
represented in long-term memory as a network of associations
among concepts. Long-term memory is not a single store and is
divided into two types: explicit (knowing that) and implicit
(knowing how)Memory recall or retrieval is remembering the
information or events that were previously encoded and stored in the
brain Memory retrieval requires revisiting the nerve pathways
formed during the encoding and storage of the memory. Memory is
stored in three forms: sensory, short-term, and long-term
memory.Memory retrieval is important in virtually every aspect of
daily life, from remembering where you parked your car to learning
new skills.
1 Semantic network theory
A semantic network, or frame network, is a network which
represents semantic relations between concepts. This is often used as
a form of knowledge representation. It is a directed or undirected
graph consisting of vertices, which represent concepts, and edges.
A semantic network is used when one has knowledge that is best
understood as a set of concepts that are related to one another.
Semantic memory is defined as a neurocognitive system that makes
possible the acquisition, retention, and use of factual information.
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.

1.1 Historical background

In 1909, Charles S. Peirce proposed a graphical notation of nodes
and edges called "existential graphs" that he called "the logic of the
future". This began the debate between advocates of "logic" and
advocates of "semantic networks." This debate obscured the fact that
semantics networks, at least those with well-defined semantics, are a
form of logic.
1.2 Example of a semantic network
"Semantic Nets" were first invented for computers by Richard H.
Richens of the Cambridge Language Research Unit in 1956 as an
"interlingua" for machine translation of natural languages.
They were developed by Robert F. Simmons and M. Ross Quillian
at System Development Corporation in the early 1960s.

1.2.1 According to the semantic network theory, how is

information stored in long-term memory?

When long-term memories form, the hippocampus retrieves

information from the working memory and begins to change the
brain's physical neural wiring.These new connections between
neurons and synapses stay as long as they remain in use.
Psychologists divide long-term memory into two length types: recent
and remote.

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Long-term memory (LTM) the final stage of the multi-store
memory model proposed by the Atkinson-Shiffrin, providing the
lasting retention of information and skills. Theoretically, the
capacity of long-term memory could be unlimited, the main
constraint on recall being accessibility rather than availability.
Duration might be a few minutes or a lifetime. Suggested encoding
modes are semantic (meaning) and visual (pictorial) in the main but
can be acoustic also. Using the computer analogy, the information in
your LTM would be like the information you have saved on the hard
drive. It isn’t there on your desktop (your short-term memory), but
you can pull up this information when you want it, at least most of
the time.
1.2.1.1 Types of Long Term Memory
Long-term memory is not a single store and is divided into two
types: explicit (knowing that) and implicit (knowing how).

One of the earliest and most influential distinctions of long-term

memory was proposed by Tulving (1972). He proposed a distinction
between episodic, semantic and procedural memory.

1.2.2 According to the semantic network theory, how is

information retrieved from long-term memory?

Information is represented in long-term memory as a network of

associations among concepts. Information is retrieved by spreading
activation from concepts in working memory through the network
structure. The time required to retrieve information is a function of
the level of activation that it achieves.

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Once information has been encoded and stored in memory, it must
be retrieved in order to be used.
Memory retrieval is important in virtually every aspect of daily
life, from remembering where you parked your car to learning new
skills. There are many factors that can influence how memories are
retrieved from long-term memory. Obviously, this process is not
always perfect. In order to fully understand this process, it is
important to learn more about exactly what retrieval is as well as the
many factors that can impact how memories are retrieved.
Memory Retrieval Basics
There are four basic ways in which information can be pulled from
long-term memory. The type of retrieval cues that are available can
have an impact on how information is retrieved. A retrieval cue is a
clue or prompt that is used to trigger the retrieval of long-term
memory.
Recall
This type of memory retrieval involves being able to access the
information without being cued. Answering a question on a fill-in-
the-blank test is a good example of recall.
Recollection
This type of memory retrieval involves reconstructing memory,
often utilizing logical structures, partial memories, narratives or
clues. For example, writing an answer on an essay exam often
involves remembering bits of information and then restructuring the
remaining information based on these partial memories.
Recognition
This type of memory retrieval involves identifying information after
experiencing it again. For example, taking a multiple-choice quiz
requires that you recognize the correct answer out of a group of
available answers.
Relearning
This type of memory retrieval involves relearning information that
has been previously learned. This often makes it easier to remember
and retrieve information in the future and can improve the strength
of memories.

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1.2.3 According to the semantic network theory, what
determines how quickly memories can be retrieved?
 Memory recall or retrieval is remembering the information or events
that were previously encoded and stored in the brain. Retrieval is the
third step in the processing of memory, with first being the encoding
of memory and second, being the storage of the memory. Retrieval
of the encoded and stored memory is very important because
otherwise there is no point in storing information. During memory
recall, there is a replaying of neural activity that was originally
generated in the brain during a specific event. This echoes the
brain’s perception of that specific event which is not completely
identical to that event. In this way, the brain remembers the
information and details of the event. Memory recall is not just
pulling things from the storage of memories; rather it is a process of
creativity in which the relevant information is gathered from the
scattered, jigsaw puzzle-like information in the brain.

fig 1.0 Human visual pathway

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Memory retrieval requires revisiting the nerve pathways formed
during the encoding and storage of the memory. How quickly a
memory is retrieved? Well, it depends upon the strength of neural
pathways formed during its encoding. According to a theory,
memory is stored in three forms: sensory, short-term, and long-term
memory. But only information stored in short and long-term
memory can be retrieved. However, the exact mechanism of memory
retrieval is not completely understood.
2.What Is a Synonym?
A synonym is simply a word that means the same as the other word
in question. These words may not always mean the same as the
original word, but they can be closely related to it. It comes from the
Greek words “syn” and “onym,” which mean “together” and
“name,” respectively. While speaking or writing, avoid using the
same words; it will improve your vocabulary. Further, you could use
a thesaurus to find synonyms. When speaking or writing, one of the
best ways to expand your vocabulary and avoid using the same
words repeatedly is to use a thesaurus to find synonyms (words with
similar meanings).a thesaurus is a general phrase that describes a
type of dictionary. It provides a list of words having the same or
similar meaning as the referenced word. For example, if you were to
look up the word “beautiful,” you might get a listing of more than
thirty words that have a similar meaning, such as attractive, pretty,
lovely, charming, etc. There are many forms of a thesaurus,
from Roget’s Thesaurus, authored by Peter Mark Roget and
published in 1852, to online material available from companies that
specialize in educational resources.
2.1 Why Is Using Synonyms Important?
It is important to use synonyms because they help to enhance the
writing quality and provide readers with a crisp and unique outlook
of the text. Furthermore, it can also improve both oral and writing
skills, as explained ahead. However, using complex synonyms does
not directly enhance the text. In the end, it is about how the context
does not change and is easily comprehended by the reader.
2.2 Benefits of Using Synonyms in Writing
Synonyms and related words are used to make your text easier to
read. Some of the benefits of using synonyms are as follows:
Makes text more captivating
Helps avoid monotone in speaking and writing
Improves communication between you and others
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Helps readers in visualizing better
For example, instead of using the word “beautiful” several times in
your text, you could search for its synonyms and use “gorgeous,”
“stunning,” or “ravishing” to enhance your language. Using a word
repeatedly may lose the attention of your audience simply out of
boredom!
Synonym examples:
Artful – Crafty
Ballot – Poll
Chorus – Refrain
Deceptive – Misleading
Enormous – Immense

According to Freud, we can repress memories as,

Sigmund Freud originally developed the concept of repression as

part of his psychoanalytic theory. Repression occurs when a thought,
memory, or feeling is too painful for an individual, so the person
unconsciously pushes the information out of consciousness and
becomes unaware of its existence.
5.1 Historical background of repress memories
In order to understand how repression works, it is important to look
at how Sigmund Freud viewed the mind. Freud conceived of the
human mind as being much like an iceberg.
The top of the iceberg that you can see above the water represents
the conscious mind. The part of the iceberg that is submerged below
the water, but is still visible, is the preconscious.
The bulk of the iceberg that lies unseen beneath the waterline
represents the unconscious.
We may not be aware of what lies in the unconscious, but its
contents can still affect behavior in a number of different ways.
As Freud worked to help patients uncover their unconscious
feelings, he began to believe that there was some mechanism at work
that actively kept unacceptable thoughts hidden. This led to his
development of the concept of repression.
Repression was the first defense mechanism Freud identified and he
believed it to be the most important. In fact, the entire process of
Freudian psychoanalysis focused on bringing these unconscious
feelings and urges into awareness so they could be dealt with
consciously.

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3 what is repression?
Repression can be defined as the ‘subconscious defense mechanism
to direct one’s own desires and impulses towards pleasurable
instincts by excluding them from one’s consciousness and holding or
subduing them in the unconscious’. Therefore, repression happens
unconsciously or without any force like suppression. In other words,
it is our subconscious mind which avoids or suppresses these
negative or unpleasant impulses from coming to the surface; as a
result, we are not even aware of the existence of such impulses
within ourselves.
Sigmund Feud, who is considered the father of Psychology, first
discovered this. According to him, repression is used by humans as a
way of a self-defense mechanism, and he referred to this mechanism
as “the corner-stone on which the whole structure of psychoanalysis
rests’. A person having no recollection of being the victim of sexual
abuse in his/her childhood is a commons place example of
repression. Therefore, it is these traumatic memories that our
subconscious pushes away so that we do not feel that agony and pain
associated with it. However, repression can have negative effects on
one’s mental well-being since the person himself is not aware of
what or why such impulses are denied, and the repercussions of
them are affecting the person. Therefore, without having proper
control over this phenomenon, the person will eventually become a
victim of some mental problem without his awareness. As a result,
the belief is that the repression plays a role in the psyche of
the average person and can lead to mental illnesses.
For example, in relation to the above example, this victim will
eventually find it hard to trust people and even start a relationship
with another. He or she may not find the reason why it is difficult for
it.
Accordingly, as Freud defines, abnormal repression or neurotic
behavior occurs when repression develops under the influence of
the superego and the internalized feelings of anxiety, in ways leading
to behavior that is illogical, self-destructive, or anti-social. In other
words, repression becomes a trigger for the rise of anxiety and
therefore, to neurotic symptoms, which happens when a forbidden
drive or impulse threatens to enter the conscious mind, and the
subconscious mind is consistently driving it away, resulting in other
behavioral side-effects.

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 Fig 5.0 Repression vs. Suppression

3.1 Repression vs. Suppression

Repression is often confused with suppression, another type of
defense mechanism. Where repression involves unconsciously
blocking unwanted thoughts or impulses, suppression is entirely
voluntary. Specifically, suppression is deliberately trying to forget or
not think about painful or unwanted thoughts

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Conclusions
Semantics within psychology is the study of how meaning is stored
in the mind. Semantic memory is a type of long-term declarative
memory that refers to facts or ideas which are not immediately
drawn from personal experience.
There are four basic ways in which information can be pulled from
long-term memory The type of retrieval cues that are available can
have an impact on how information is retrieved. A retrieval cue is a
clue or prompt that is used to trigger the retrieval of long-term
memory. Recall , recollection ,recognition , relearning
how quickly a memory is retrieved well, it depends upon the
strength of neural pathways formed during its encoding. According
to a theory, memory is stored in three forms: sensory, short-term,
and long-term memory. But only information stored in short and
long-term memory can be retrieved. However, the exact mechanism
of memory retrieval is not completely understood.
A synonym is simply a word that means the same as the other word
in questionIt is important to use synonyms because they help to
enhance the writing quality and provide readers with a crisp and
unique outlook of the text.
Repression can be defined as the ‘subconscious defense mechanism
to direct one’s own desires and impulses towards pleasurable
instincts by excluding them from one’s consciousness and holding or
subduing them in the unconscious’. Repression is often confused
with suppression, another type of defense mechanism. Where
repression involves unconsciously blocking unwanted thoughts or
impulses, suppression is entirely voluntary. Specifically, suppression
is deliberately trying to forget or not think about painful or unwanted
thoughts

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