Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Known concepts refer to ideas or information that we have already learned and stored in long-term memory. They serve as a foundation for making connections with new information.
Related terms
Semantic Network: A semantic network is a representation of how different concepts are interconnected in our mind. Concepts that are closely related are linked together, forming a network of associations.
Recognition Memory: Recognition memory refers to our ability to identify previously encountered stimuli or information from among alternatives. It involves determining whether something is familiar or not.
Decay theory suggests that forgetting occurs because memories gradually fade away over time if they are not reinforced or retrieved regularly. According to this theory, unused memories weaken and decay over time.