Question 1

Most researchers agree that the memories people say they have of their first three years of life are based on:
A) unconscious memories that float to the surface.
B) family stories, photographs, and imagination.
C) actual recall of the events.
D) a special memory module for early childhood experiences.

Accepted Answer

Most researchers agree that memories people have of their first three years of life are not reliable and are based on family stories, photographs, and imagination rather than actual recall of events.

Question 2

The ________ model represents the contents of memory as connections among a huge number of interacting processing units.
A) three-box
B) parallel distributed processing
C) serial processing
D) sequential processing

Accepted Answer

The description given suggests the Parallel Distributed Processing model, also known as the connectionist model, where information is processed simultaneously across a network of interacting processing units rather than sequentially. The other options, such as the three-box model, focus on information processing in a linear fashion.

Question 3

________ is a memory system that includes short-term memory and executive processes that control attention and the retrieval.
A) Procedural memory
B) Declarative memory
C) Working memory
D) Semantic memory

Accepted Answer

Working memory is a memory system that involves short-term memory and executive processes that control attention and retrieval. It is responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for various cognitive tasks such as problem-solving, language comprehension, and decision-making. Working memory has a limited capacity and is essential for many higher-level cognitive functions.

Question 4

________ memory refers to a vivid, detailed recollection of an emotional event.
A) Semantic
B) Declarative
C) Flashbulb
D) Episodic

Accepted Answer

Flashbulb memory refers to a vivid, detailed recollection of an emotional event. It is a type of episodic memory, which is a personal memory of a specific event.

Question 5

________ is thought to be a biological mechanism of long-term memory.
A) Deep processing
B) Long-term potentiation
C) Priming
D) Temporary changes in the release of neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation is a biological mechanism of long-term memory. It refers to the strengthening of neural connections due to repeated stimulation, leading to improved signal transmission between neurons. This process is believed to underlie the formation and storage of long-term memories in the brain.

Question 6

________ acts as a holding bin, retaining information in a highly accurate form until we can select items for attention.
A) The sensory register
B) Short-term memory
C) Working memory
D) Long-term memory

Accepted Answer

The sensory register, also known as sensory memory, acts as a temporary storage for sensory information such as visual and auditory stimuli. It is able to retain a high level of accuracy for a brief period of time, until the information can be selected for further processing in short-term memory or forgotten.

Question 7

Given the current research on recovered memories, one should be skeptical if a person says that:
A) she cannot remember an event from when she was 2 years old.
B) she is frequently bothered by vivid memories of a traumatic event that she experienced.
C) she now has memories of his experiences as an infant, thanks to therapy.
D) her amnesia resulted from a blow to the head during a car accident.

Accepted Answer

The current research on recovered memories suggests that memories of experiences during infancy cannot be accurately remembered or recovered through therapy. Therefore, one should be skeptical if a person claims to now have memories of his experiences as an infant, thanks to therapy.

Question 8

Eyewitness testimonies by victims are most likely to contain errors when the suspect:
A) is of a different gender than the victim.
B) is significantly older than the victim.
C) is significantly younger than the victim.
D) is of a different ethnic background than the victim.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people are generally better at recognizing faces of their own ethnic group compared to those of different ethnic groups, a phenomenon known as the cross-race effect or own-race bias. This can lead to higher rates of misidentification and errors in eyewitness testimonies when the suspect is of a different ethnic background than the victim.

Question 9

Which of the following is a test for recall?
A) matching questions
B) true-false questions
C) multiple-choice questions
D) essay questions

Accepted Answer

Essay questions require the test-taker to recall information from memory and articulate it in their own words. This makes them a better option for testing recall compared to other choices, such as matching, true-false, or multiple-choice questions, which may rely more on recognition or inference abilities.

Question 10

Although there is some debate, ________ is generally thought to have a capacity of seven plus or minus two units of information.
A) the sensory register
B) short-term memory
C) declarative memory
D) long-term memory

Accepted Answer

The capacity of seven plus or minus two units of information is commonly associated with short-term memory, which is also known as working memory. The other options (sensory register, declarative memory, long-term memory) are not typically associated with this exact capacity limit.

Question 11

________ memory refers to the recollection of a personally experienced event and the context in which it occurred.
A) Semantic
B) Procedural
C) Flashbulb
D) Episodic

Accepted Answer

Episodic memory is the type of memory that refers to the recollection of a personally experienced event and the context in which it occurred. Semantic memory is the memory of general knowledge and facts about the world, while procedural memory is the memory of how to perform specific actions or skills. Flashbulb memory is a specific type of episodic memory that refers to a highly detailed and vivid memory of a significant and emotional event.

Question 12

Which memory system has a limited capacity and stores items for about 30 seconds?
A) short-term memory
B) long-term memory
C) the sensory register
D) implicit memory

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory has a limited capacity and stores items for about 30 seconds. The sensory register stores information briefly in sensory form, and implicit memory involves unconscious memories that are not intentionally recalled. Long-term memory has a potentially infinite capacity and can store information for years or even a lifetime.

Question 13

Irene swears that she was there the night her best friend got into a fight with her ex-boyfriend. It takes several of her friends to convince her that she was not. Which of the following likely made Irene's fake memory seem so real to her?
A) She had only heard the story of the fight a few times.
B) The fight occurred only a year ago.
C) Her memory contained only a few key details.
D) The fight was easy to imagine.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the fight was easy to imagine likely contributed to Irene's false memory feeling real to her. The ease of imagining the scenario made it easier for her to create a detailed mental image of the event, which could have made it more difficult for her to distinguish between the real memory and the imagined one.

Question 14

Which of the following is considered to be an implicit memory?
A) procedural memory
B) semantic memory
C) episodic memory
D) declarative memory

Accepted Answer

Procedural memory is considered an implicit memory because it involves the unconscious learning of skills and habits, such as riding a bike or typing on a keyboard. It is not a conscious or deliberate form of memory, but rather something that becomes ingrained through repetition and practice. The other options listed are all forms of explicit memory, which involve conscious and intentional recollection of past experiences or information.

Question 15

Conscious, intentional recollection of an event or of an item of information is called:
A) explicit memory.
B) implicit memory.
C) autobiographical memory.
D) procedural memory.

Accepted Answer

Explicit memory involves conscious, intentional recollection of an event or of an item of information. This differs from implicit memory, which involves unconscious retrieval of previously learned information, as well as autobiographical memory, which involves memories of events and experiences specific to one's own life, and procedural memory, which involves memories of how to perform various skills and activities.

Question 16

In his work with rabbits, Richard Thompson showed that classical conditioning of the eyeblink response depends on activity in the ________.
A) frontal lobes
B) amygdala
C) hippocampus
D) cerebellum

Accepted Answer

Richard Thompson's work with rabbits showed that the cerebellum plays a critical role in classical conditioning of the eyeblink response. The cerebellum is involved in the acquisition and retention of motor responses, including the eyeblink reflex.

Question 17

According to the decay theory, forgetting occurs because:
A) new information is "recorded over" old information.
B) similar items of information interfere with one another.
C) memories simply fade with time if they are not accessed now and then.
D) the cues needed to recall the memory are not present.

Accepted Answer

The decay theory suggests that memories simply fade with time if they are not accessed or used frequently. This means that the strength of the memory trace decreases over time and ultimately fades away, leading to forgetting.

Question 18

The inability to distinguish an actual memory of an event from information you learned about the event elsewhere is called ________.
A) confabulation
B) source misattribution
C) priming
D) repression

Accepted Answer

Source misattribution refers to the confusion between an actual memory and information learned about the event elsewhere. Confabulation is a memory error in which gaps in memory are filled with false information. Priming is a phenomenon in which exposure to a stimulus influences a response to a later stimulus. Repression refers to the unconscious blocking of painful memories.

Question 19

Confusion of an event that happened to someone else with one that happened to you, or a belief that you remember something when it never actually happened, is called ________.
A) confabulation
B) priming
C) flashbulb memory
D) repression

Accepted Answer

Confabulation is the confusion or fabrication of memories, often caused by brain damage or a psychological disorder. Priming refers to when exposure to one stimulus affects the response to another stimulus. Flashbulb memory is the vivid, detailed memory of a significant event. Repression is the unconscious blocking of memories to protect oneself from emotional trauma.

Question 20

The ________ theory of forgetting proposes that memory fades with time and lack of use.
A) replacement
B) decay
C) interference
D) cue-dependent

Accepted Answer

The decay theory proposes that memories fade and deteriorate over time, particularly if they are not used or reinforced. This theory suggests that the passage of time erodes the strength of memory traces, making them weaker and more prone to forgetting.

Quiz 10: Memory

Most researchers agree that the memories people say they have of their first three years of life are based on:

The ________ model represents the contents of memory as connections among a huge number of interacting processing units.

________ is a memory system that includes short-term memory and executive processes that control attention and the retrieval.

________ memory refers to a vivid, detailed recollection of an emotional event.

________ is thought to be a biological mechanism of long-term memory.

________ acts as a holding bin, retaining information in a highly accurate form until we can select items for attention.

Given the current research on recovered memories, one should be skeptical if a person says that:

Eyewitness testimonies by victims are most likely to contain errors when the suspect:

Which of the following is a test for recall?

Although there is some debate, ________ is generally thought to have a capacity of seven plus or minus two units of information.

________ memory refers to the recollection of a personally experienced event and the context in which it occurred.

Which memory system has a limited capacity and stores items for about 30 seconds?

Irene swears that she was there the night her best friend got into a fight with her ex-boyfriend. It takes several of her friends to convince her that she was not. Which of the following likely made Irene's fake memory seem so real to her?

Which of the following is considered to be an implicit memory?

Conscious, intentional recollection of an event or of an item of information is called:

In his work with rabbits, Richard Thompson showed that classical conditioning of the eyeblink response depends on activity in the ________.

According to the decay theory, forgetting occurs because:

The inability to distinguish an actual memory of an event from information you learned about the event elsewhere is called ________.

Confusion of an event that happened to someone else with one that happened to you, or a belief that you remember something when it never actually happened, is called ________.

The ________ theory of forgetting proposes that memory fades with time and lack of use.