Question 1

Which one of the following is an accurate statement about the dual-store model of memory?
A) All information that reaches the sensory register also reaches short-term memory, but only a small percentage of this information is stored in long-term memory.
B) Information that must be remembered for a long time goes directly from the sensory register to long-term memory; less important information is stored in short-term memory.
C) All information that enters long-term memory must first pass through the sensory register and short-term memory.
D) The three components of memory are used to store different kinds of information: visual images are stored in the sensory register, most numerical information is stored in short-term memory, and verbal information is stored in long-term memory.

Accepted Answer

The dual-store model of memory proposes that information must pass through the sensory register and short-term memory before it can be stored in long-term memory. Therefore, all information that enters long-term memory must first pass through the earlier stages of memory. Option A is incorrect because only a small percentage of information in short-term memory is transferred to long-term memory. Option B is also incorrect because important information can be stored in short-term memory if it is rehearsed enough. Option D is incorrect because there is no evidence to suggest that different kinds of information are stored in different components of memory based on their format.

Question 2

When memory theorists talk about control processes, they are talking about:
A) Observable behaviors (e.g., walking to a new location) that affect what information in the environment is encountered
B) How the environment structures people's opportunities to learn new things
C) The methods that teachers use to facilitate a learner's memory for information
D) Cognitive processes that affect storage and retrieval of information

Accepted Answer

Control processes refer to cognitive processes such as attention, encoding, and retrieval that affect how information is stored and retrieved from memory. Observable behaviors and environmental structure may have an impact on memory, but they are not directly related to control processes. The methods used by teachers may also impact memory, but this is not necessarily related to control processes either.

Question 3

Learning theorists often emphasize the importance of attention in the learning process? From the perspective of the dual-store model of memory, why is attention so important?
A) It gets information into the sensory register.
B) It moves information from working memory into long-term memory.
C) It moves information from the sensory register into long-term memory.
D) It moves information from the sensory register into working memory.

Accepted Answer

Attention is important in the learning process as it helps move information from the sensory register into working memory, where it can be processed further and potentially encoded into long-term memory. Without attention, information in the sensory register may not be noticed or properly processed. The dual-store model of memory proposes that information must first pass through sensory register before being transferred to working memory, and then encoded into long-term memory. Therefore, attention plays a crucial role in the initial transfer of information from the sensory register to working memory.

Question 4

When a stray dog wanders into a classroom, all of the students stop their seatwork and watch the teacher try to coax the dog from the room. The students' attentiveness demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.
A) novelty
B) proximity
C) size
D) personal significance

Accepted Answer

The presence of a stray dog in a classroom would be considered a novel occurrence, which tends to grab people's attention and increase their focus on the unfamiliar stimulus.

Question 5

Which one of the following best describes the nature of working memory as many contemporary psychologists view it?
A) It is a highly centralized component of memory that appears to be located in the prefrontal cortex.
B) It converts virtually all information it receives into a verbal, language-based form.
C) It probably involves two or more different areas of the brain, which specialize in different modalities.
D) It provides a good backup memory system for things that don't need to be stored for more than a few hours.

Accepted Answer

Many contemporary psychologists view working memory as involving multiple areas of the brain, with different areas specializing in different modalities (e.g. auditory, visual, verbal). This allows for the integration of information from different sources and the manipulation of that information in real-time.

Question 6

Based on the textbook's discussion, you might best think of attention as being a process of:
A) Turning one's sensory receptors in the direction of desired information
B) Making stronger responses to bright or loud stimuli
C) Focusing one's cognitive processes on certain stimuli in the environment
D) Filtering out unwanted information, in much the same way that an oil filter removes unwanted particles

Accepted Answer

The textbook defines attention as the process of focusing one's cognitive processes on certain stimuli in the environment. Choice A is related to the sensory input, but attention involves more than just orienting to the input. Choice B refers to a physiological response, but attention involves psychological processes. Choice D describes a function of attention, but it is not the full process of attention.

Question 7

During a lecture on World War II, Mr. Cochran tells his class about some of the major leaders of the countries involved in the war. He then asks Kathy to identify the leader of Great Britain during World War II, and she correctly responds, "Winston Churchill." At the time she answers the question, Kathy is exhibiting:
A) storage
B) retrieval
C) elaboration
D) proactive facilitation

Accepted Answer

Kathy is recalling information from her memory, so she is demonstrating retrieval.

Question 8

Which one of the following best illustrates the "working" aspect of working memory?
A) Efficiently using a pair of scissors
B) Confusing two people's names
C) Alphabetizing five names as you hold them in memory
D) Unconsciously adjusting your grip on a tennis racket in anticipation of executing a backhand swing

Accepted Answer

Alphabetizing five names as you hold them in memory requires actively manipulating information in working memory, which is one of the key functions of this cognitive system. The other examples may involve working memory to some extent, but do not illustrate the "working" aspect as clearly.

Question 9

Which one of the following situations is the best example of the cocktail party phenomenon as psychologists use the term?
A) When Ann walks into a room full of strangers, she immediately notices someone who looks familiar.
B) Bernie has difficulty paying attention to anything when too many people talk to him at once.
C) Carolyn's attention is captured immediately when someone calls her name.
D) Darren can hear what his friend is telling him even though the television is on and two other people in the room are talking.

Accepted Answer

The cocktail party phenomenon refers to the ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment. In this case, Darren is able to hear his friend's conversation even though there is other noise in the room.

Question 10

Considering current views regarding the capacity of working memory, which one of the following sets of information could be held entirely in working memory?
A) The names of 20 friends
B) The visual images of 20 friends
C) Two pages of narrative from a mystery novel
D) A list of five miscellaneous household objects

Accepted Answer

Working memory is estimated to hold an average of 7 +/- 2 chunks of information. A list of five miscellaneous household objects would likely fall within this capacity, whereas the other options would exceed it.

Question 11

Marnie attends very closely to the English teacher's lecture because she knows she must pass her English course in order to graduate. Marnie's attentiveness demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.
A) stimulus intensity
B) personal significance
C) emotion
D) incongruity

Accepted Answer

Marnie's attentiveness is influenced by the personal significance of passing her English course to graduate.

Question 12

When psychologists refer to a dual-store model of memory, they are referring to a model in which:
A) A distinction is made between working and long-term memory
B) Functions rather than structures of memory are emphasized
C) Information must be processed more than once before it will be stored
D) A distinction is made between two different levels of processing

Accepted Answer

A dual-store model of memory refers to the distinction made between working memory (short-term memory) and long-term memory. This model suggests that information must be transferred from working memory to long-term memory in order to be retained for a longer period of time. This model has been widely accepted by psychologists and is often used to explain various aspects of memory function.

Question 13

Which one of the following examples best illustrates involvement of a central executive in the human memory system?
A) Adam absentmindedly cracks his knuckles every minute or two.
B) Brigette works hard to keep her mind on her textbook as she reads.
C) As she sits in a science lecture, Claudia's thoughts continually drift to other topics.
D) David is frightened the first time he hears the loud noises at a fireworks display.

Accepted Answer

Involvement of a central executive refers to the ability to control attention and focus on relevant information. Brigette actively works to keep her mind on her textbook, indicating the involvement of a central executive in her memory system. The other options do not necessarily involve deliberate attentional control.

Question 14

Which one of the following best reflects the use of the sensory register component of memory?
A) You can remember a melody for several hours even though you don't remember the lyrics.
B) You can remember something you heard for a second or two even though you weren't initially paying attention to it.
C) You can remember the name of a person just long enough to introduce her to someone else.
D) You can remember the concept of reinforcement because you are able to relate it to your own experiences.

Accepted Answer

The sensory register is responsible for briefly holding sensory information from the environment, such as sights or sounds. Option B best reflects this function by describing the ability to remember something that was only heard for a short period of time, indicating that the sensory register briefly held the auditory information. Options A, C, and D involve more long-term memory storage and retrieval processes, which are not directly related to the sensory register.

Question 15

Which one of the following statements best characterizes the duration of the sensory register?
A) Information can last indefinitely in the sensory register if the visual or auditory image is occasionally retrieved.
B) Meaningless information fades quickly, but meaningful information may remain for hours.
C) Most visual information lasts less than a second, with auditory information lasting slightly longer.
D) Information remains for about ten seconds regardless of its nature.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that most visual information lasts less than a second in the sensory register, with auditory information lasting slightly longer (about two seconds). This duration limitation ensures that the sensory register does not become overwhelmed with information and can filter out irrelevant stimuli for further processing in short-term memory.

Question 16

A classroom of talkative students immediately quiets down and pays attention when the teacher yells, "Listen to me!" quite loudly. The students' sudden attentiveness to the teacher demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.
A) stimulus intensity
B) personal relevance
C) proximity
D) working memory

Accepted Answer

The teacher's loud voice is a strong stimulus that captures the students' attention, demonstrating the effect of stimulus intensity on attention. Personal relevance, proximity, and working memory may also influence attention, but they are not the most direct factor in this scenario.

Question 17

Which one of the following is the best example of encoding in the process of learning state capitals?
A) Abe learns Austin, Texas by making sure he is relaxed before he studies it.
B) Bernice focuses her eyes on the page that says "St. Paul, Minnesota" and keeps them focused there for at least 10 seconds.
C) Corey learns Atlanta, Georgia by thinking, "The Atlantic Ocean is gorgeous."
D) Darcy learns Sacramento, California by having a tape recorder play "Sacramento, California" over and over while she sleeps.

Accepted Answer

Encoding refers to the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory. Corey uses a technique of associating "Atlanta" with "Atlantic Ocean" to encode the information effectively. The other options may be related to memory retrieval or attention, but not encoding.

Question 18

Each of the women below is engaging in two activities simultaneously. Considering contemporary views of attention, identify the woman who should have the greatest difficulty doing both things at once.
A) Amelia is thinking about what to cook for dinner while she combs her hair.
B) Brenda is watching the evening news on television while she studies for an exam.
C) As Camille walks down the street, she calls a friend on her cell phone to express anger about his inconsiderate behavior earlier in the day.
D) As she jogs around the track at the health club, Donna is trying to decide where to go on her vacation next month.

Accepted Answer

Brenda is engaging in two activities (watching the evening news and studying for an exam) that both require high levels of cognitive processing and attention, making it difficult to effectively do both at the same time.

Question 19

William is trying to remember his new nine-digit social security number, and he does so by thinking of it as three groups of three digits each. William is demonstrating:
A) The use of chunking
B) Storage in the sensory register
C) Retrieval from working memory
D) The use of maintenance rehearsal

Accepted Answer

William is using chunking, which is a mnemonic strategy of grouping information into meaningful units to aid in memory encoding and retrieval. This is not an example of storage in the sensory register, as that involves temporary storage of sensory information. It is also not an example of retrieval from working memory or the use of maintenance rehearsal, as those would involve retrieving information from or repeatedly rehearsing information in short-term memory.

Question 20

Which one of the following most clearly illustrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground?
A) Aaron is watching the teacher's face so intently that he doesn't notice what she is writing on the chalkboard.
B) Bart has difficulty seeing the difference between the letters b and d because the two letters are so similar in appearance.
C) Caryn is lost in her thoughts.
D) Darlene has difficulty judging the size of objects more than six meters away from her.

Accepted Answer

The Gestalt principle of figure-ground is the tendency of the brain to differentiate between an object and its surroundings. In this scenario, Aaron is focused on the teacher's face (figure), and does not perceive the chalkboard (ground) as important or relevant.

Quiz 8: Basic Components of Memory

Which one of the following is an accurate statement about the dual-store model of memory?

When memory theorists talk about control processes, they are talking about:

Learning theorists often emphasize the importance of attention in the learning process? From the perspective of the dual-store model of memory, why is attention so important?

When a stray dog wanders into a classroom, all of the students stop their seatwork and watch the teacher try to coax the dog from the room. The students' attentiveness demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.

Which one of the following best describes the nature of working memory as many contemporary psychologists view it?

Based on the textbook's discussion, you might best think of attention as being a process of:

Which one of the following best illustrates the "working" aspect of working memory?

Which one of the following situations is the best example of the cocktail party phenomenon as psychologists use the term?

Considering current views regarding the capacity of working memory, which one of the following sets of information could be held entirely in working memory?

Marnie attends very closely to the English teacher's lecture because she knows she must pass her English course in order to graduate. Marnie's attentiveness demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.

When psychologists refer to a dual-store model of memory, they are referring to a model in which:

Which one of the following examples best illustrates involvement of a central executive in the human memory system?

Which one of the following best reflects the use of the sensory register component of memory?

Which one of the following statements best characterizes the duration of the sensory register?

A classroom of talkative students immediately quiets down and pays attention when the teacher yells, "Listen to me!" quite loudly. The students' sudden attentiveness to the teacher demonstrates the effect of _______ on attention.

Which one of the following is the best example of encoding in the process of learning state capitals?

Each of the women below is engaging in two activities simultaneously. Considering contemporary views of attention, identify the woman who should have the greatest difficulty doing both things at once.

William is trying to remember his new nine-digit social security number, and he does so by thinking of it as three groups of three digits each. William is demonstrating:

Which one of the following most clearly illustrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground?