Question 1

When you recall the names of the days of the week, you are relying on ________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is the long-term memory system that stores general knowledge, such as the meaning of words, concepts, and facts. The recall of the names of the days of the week is an example of semantic memory because it involves memory for general knowledge and concepts.

Question 2

According to the serial-position effect, if you are shown a list of items and then asked to immediately recall them, you will most easily recall items:

Accepted Answer

The serial-position effect states that we are more likely to remember items at the beginning and end of a list rather than the middle, due to the primacy and recency effects. The primacy effect is the tendency to remember items at the beginning of the list better because they had more time to be rehearsed and transferred to long-term memory. The recency effect is the tendency to remember items at the end of the list better because they are still in working memory. Therefore, the best choice is B, recalling items from the beginning and end of the list.

Question 3

A practiced juggler relies on __________ memory to keep the balls in the air.

Accepted Answer

Procedural memory is responsible for the learning and execution of skills and habits, such as juggling. It involves the cerebellum and basal ganglia and is considered a type of implicit memory, meaning it is unconscious and automatic. Semantic memory deals with general knowledge and facts, episodic memory is for personal events, and declarative memory refers to conscious recollection of information.

Question 4

During short-term memory tasks, the ________ is especially active.

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functioning, which includes working memory. During short-term memory tasks, the frontal lobe is especially active in order to maintain and manipulate information in active memory. The other brain regions listed may be involved in memory in different ways, but do not have as much of a specific role in short-term memory tasks.

Question 5

Most people seem to favor ________ for encoding and rehearsing the contents of short-term memory.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that most people use speech to encode and rehearse the contents of short-term memory, which is why repeating information aloud (such as a phone number) can improve one's recall of it.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a biological mechanism of long-term memory. It is a process that strengthens the connections between neurons and is believed to be involved in the formation of long-term memories. LTP occurs through a sustained increase in the efficiency of synaptic transmission, which is mediated by changes in the properties of receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate. This leads to an increased release of neurotransmitters, stronger connections between neurons, and enhanced communication between brain regions.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Richard Thompson's work with rabbits showed that classical conditioning of the eyeblink response is dependent on the cerebellum. This was demonstrated through the use of lesions and electrical stimulation of the cerebellum in rabbit subjects.

Question 8

Margeaux is introduced to the following people when she arrives at the party: Derek, Kayla, Calvin, Debbie, Rose, Melanie, Garrett, Tom, Francis, Jane, John, and Vincent. According to the serial-position effect, it will be most difficult to remember the names of:

Accepted Answer

The serial-position effect suggests that the items in the beginning and end of a list are easiest to remember, while the items in the middle are most difficult to remember. Therefore, in this list of 12 people, it will be most difficult to remember the names of those in the middle of the list, which are Rose, Melanie, Garrett, and Tom.

Question 9

Shannon is currently a college professor. Which memory from Shannon's fourth grade experience would most likely be an episodic memory?

Accepted Answer

Episodic memories are memories of personal experiences and events. Sharing an NFL mechanical pencil with Nick in fourth grade is a specific personal experience that would be classified as an episodic memory. The other choices are factual information that may be stored as semantic memories.

Question 10

________ could be called "knowing how to do something" memories.

Accepted Answer

Procedural memories are memories of how to do something, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument. These memories are typically stored in the cerebellum and basal ganglia regions of the brain, and are often implicit, meaning they are not consciously accessible. Semantic memories, on the other hand, are memories of facts and knowledge about the world, while declarative memories refer to memories that can be consciously declared or recalled, such as personal experiences (episodic memories) or facts (semantic memories).

Question 11

The process by which a long-term memory becomes durable and stable is called:

Accepted Answer

Consolidation is the process by which a long-term memory becomes durable and stable. Chunking is a memory technique that involves breaking up information into smaller, more manageable pieces. Confabulation is a memory error where a person recalls events that did not actually occur. Priming is the activation of a particular memory or association.

Question 12

A long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic responsiveness is called:

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic responsiveness that is considered to be the neural basis for learning and memory. Deep processing refers to the cognitive processing of information and is not related to synaptic plasticity. Parallel processing refers to the ability of the brain to process multiple pieces of information simultaneously. State-dependent memory refers to the phenomenon in which memory retrieval is influenced by the internal state of the individual at the time of encoding and retrieval.

Question 13

Patty reminisces about her wedding. Which of the following would be among Patty's semantic memories?

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory refers to general world knowledge that we have accumulated throughout our lives. This includes facts, ideas, meaning and concepts which are not drawn from personal experience. Remembering that it is appropriate to stand when the bride walks down the aisle is an example of semantic memory because it is a general fact about weddings, not a specific memory from Patty's own wedding.

Question 14

As she studies her physics textbook, Marilyn wants to make sure that she remembers that sound intensity is measured in units called decibels and that each decibel is one-tenth of a bel, which is a unit named after Alexander Graham Bell. Marilyn creates a visual image of ten little elf-like Bell figures trying to turn up the volume of a huge stereo. Her strategy is called:

Accepted Answer

Marilyn's strategy of creating a visual image to remember the information is a mnemonic, which is a memory aid or technique used to help in the recall of information.

Question 15

Robert is making a conscious effort for prolonged retention of his homework by processing its meaning fully. This strategy is called:

Accepted Answer

Robert's strategy of processing the meaning of his homework fully corresponds to deep processing, which is known to promote long-term retention of information. Shallow processing (A) is a more superficial level of processing that does not involve much elaboration or reflection. Consolidation (C) is a process by which memories are strengthened over time, but it does not refer to a specific cognitive strategy. Confabulation (D) is a memory error where a person unwittingly fabricates details/details of an experience or memory that did not actually occur.

Question 16

________ plays a critical role in the formation of long-term declarative memories.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus plays a critical role in the formation of long-term declarative memories. The frontal lobe is involved in decision making and personality, the cerebellum is involved in motor control and coordination, and the amygdala is involved in processing emotions and fear responses.

Question 17

In order to help her music students learn the lines of the treble clef in musical notation, Susan has them learn the sentence "Every Good Boy Does Fine," in which the starting letter of each word represents the name of a note. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The use of the sentence "Every Good Boy Does Fine" as a memory aid is an example of a mnemonic. Mnemonics are devices or strategies that help people remember information.

Question 18

The ________ is the part of the brain that is involved with the formation and consolidation of memories associated with fear and other emotions.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a small almond-shaped structure within the temporal lobe that is involved in the processing and memory of emotional reactions, particularly fear. It plays a crucial role in the acquisition and consolidation of emotional memories, including those related to fear.

Question 19

Moderate amounts of hormones released by the adrenal glands during stress and emotional arousal tend to:

Accepted Answer

Moderate amounts of hormones released by the adrenal glands during stress and emotional arousal can enhance memory. The hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, can activate the amygdala, which is involved in emotional processing, and the hippocampus, which is involved in memory formation.

Question 20

Which of the following parts of the brain is most likely to form and retain procedural memories?

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is responsible for forming and retaining procedural memories, such as motor skills and habits. The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions like decision-making and planning, while the hippocampus is involved in forming and retaining declarative memories like facts and events. The amygdala is important for processing emotions and fear.

Quiz 10: Memory