Several experiments showed that short-term memory fades rapidly unless it is rehearsed.What aspect of the original experiment increased the probability of forgetting?
A)People were memorizing meaningless material.
B)The experiment was conducted before 8 a.m.
C)The participants were inmates at a mental hospital.
D)The laboratory room was full of distracting stimuli.

Question

Several experiments showed that short-term memory fades rapidly unless it is rehearsed.What aspect of the original experiment increased the probability of forgetting?
A)People were memorizing meaningless material.
B)​The experiment was conducted before 8 a.m.
C)​The participants were inmates at a mental hospital.
D)​The laboratory room was full of distracting stimuli.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that people were memorizing meaningless material likely increased the difficulty of the task and the chances of forgetting. If the material were more meaningful or relevant, people may have been more likely to remember it without rehearsal. Additionally, meaningless material may not have been as engaging, making it easier to forget without active effort to keep it in memory.

Several Experiments Showed That Short-Term Memory Fades Rapidly Unless It