Question 1

On a TV game show, you are asked which way Lincoln's head faces on a penny.You are unable to answer correctly, and you lose a large prize.Your memory failure is most likely a result of
A) the serial position effect.
B) repression.
C) encoding failure.
D) priming.

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure occurs when information does not get properly encoded into our long-term memory, making it difficult or impossible to recall later on. In this case, the individual was unable to remember which way Lincoln's head faces on a penny, suggesting an encoding failure rather than repression or priming. The serial position effect would apply if the individual could remember the first and last items on a list better than the items in the middle.

Question 2

If you can't remember whose picture is on a U.S.ten dollar bill, the most likely reason is
A) encoding failure.
B) proactive interference.
C) disuse.
D) retroactive interference.

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure is the inability to recall information due to the failure to encode it properly in the first place. If someone cannot remember whose picture is on a U.S. ten dollar bill, it is likely because they did not encode the information properly or deeply enough to retain it in their memory.

Question 3

An experiment was conducted in which a person was talking to a young adult stranger when two workers carried a door between this person and the young man.Another young man was switched with the original stranger.Which of the following was one of the conclusions of this study?
A) Only half the people who were tested this way noticed the switch.
B) More older persons did not notice the switch because of poor visual acuity.
C) More college students did not notice the switch because they were in a hurry and thinking about getting to their next class.
D) Ninety-eight percent of those tested this way noticed the switch.

Accepted Answer

The experiment concluded that only half the people who were tested this way noticed the switch.

Question 4

When memories are stored, physical changes take place in brain activity and in the nerve cells.These physical changes are called
A) eidetic imagery.
B) cross-stimulation.
C) memory traces.
D) axon diffusion.

Accepted Answer

The physical changes that take place in brain activity and nerve cells when memories are stored are known as memory traces.

Question 5

A good way to prevent encoding failure is to actively think about the information to be learned, a process known as
A) elaborative processing.
B) priming.
C) chunking or recoding.
D) maintenance rehearsal.

Accepted Answer

Elaborative processing involves actively thinking about the information to be learned, connecting it to prior knowledge, and considering its personal relevance. This type of processing has been shown to enhance memory encoding and retrieval, making it a good way to prevent encoding failure. Priming and maintenance rehearsal may also be helpful, but chunking or recoding alone may not be sufficient to prevent encoding failure.

Question 6

The fading or weakening of a memory trace due to a passage of time is called
A) redintegration.
B) memory decay.
C) interference.
D) repression.

Accepted Answer

Memory decay refers to the weakening or fading of a memory trace over time. Redintegration refers to the process of using partial cues to reconstruct a complete memory. Interference occurs when new information interferes with the ability to retrieve an old memory. Repression is a defense mechanism in which traumatic memories are pushed into the unconscious mind.

Question 7

Encoding failure is usually the result of which type of memory being disrupted by distractions?
A) eidetic
B) short-term
C) long-term
D) implicit

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure occurs when information is not successfully transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory. Therefore, distractions that disrupt short-term memory can result in encoding failure. Choices A, C, and D are not directly related to encoding failure.

Question 8

An experiment was conducted in which a person was talking to a young adult stranger, and two workers carried a door between this person and the young man.Another young man was switched with the original stranger.Only half of the participants tested this way noticed the switch.What were the conclusions regarding this experiment?
A) More college students did not notice the switch because they were in a hurry and thinking about getting to their next class.
B) More older persons did not notice the switch because their brains are beginning to be damaged by the onset of senility.
C) More older persons did not notice because they encoded both young men in very general terms as a "college student."
D) More older persons did not notice the switch because of poor visual acuity.

Accepted Answer

The experiment concludes that more older persons did not notice the switch because they encoded both young men in very general terms as a "college student." This shows a cognitive bias known as stereotype encoding, where older persons may group individuals into broad categories and miss subtle differences.

Question 9

As Jake gets to class, he realizes that he did not study for the quiz today.He quickly scans the information in the Chapter but makes an "F" on the quiz.Jake's quick scan of the Chapter failed to store sufficient information to form a useful memory to use in taking the quiz, a type of forgetting known as
A) proactive interference.
B) retroactive interference.
C) cue-dependent forgetting.
D) encoding failure.

Accepted Answer

Jake's failure to remember the information can be attributed to encoding failure, as he did not properly encode the information in his memory through study or rehearsal.

Question 10

Physical changes in nerve cells or brain activity that take place when memories are stored are referred to as
A) memory traces.
B) biodata.
C) morphemes.
D) cross-stimulation.

Accepted Answer

Memory traces refer to the physical changes in nerve cells or brain activity that take place when memories are stored. Biodata refers to biographical data, morphemes are units of language, and cross-stimulation is not a term that relates to memory storage.

Question 11

Memory decay only seems to explain forgetting for
A) episodic memories.
B) semantic memories.
C) sensory and short-term memories.
D) eidetic memory and internal images.

Accepted Answer

Memory decay, which occurs when information is not rehearsed, can explain forgetting for sensory and short-term memories. Episodic and semantic memories are more likely to be affected by interference and retrieval failure. Eidetic memory and internal images are not well-supported concepts in mainstream psychology.

Question 12

Eyewitnesses tend to be better at identifying members of their own ethnic group than persons from other groups.This phenomenon is best explained by
A) memory decay.
B) the disuse theory of forgetting.
C) the tendency to categorize strangers in general terms.
D) the tendency to repress traumatic encounters.

Accepted Answer

The tendency to categorize strangers in general terms is known as in-group/out-group bias, and it is a common cognitive shortcut people use to simplify complex social situations. It can lead to better memory for individuals who are perceived as part of one's own group, as they are often viewed as more distinct and salient than members of out-groups. This phenomenon has been well documented in psychological research on eyewitness identification.

Question 13

After a long flight, a very tired Mark rented a car at the airport and drove to a nearby motel.The next morning, when he went to the parking lot, he could not remember what make, model, or color car he had rented.Mark's forgetting illustrates
A) encoding failure.
B) disuse.
C) decay.
D) repression.

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure occurs when information is not properly encoded into memory, which can result in forgetting. In this case, Mark did not properly encode the details of the car he rented, so he was unable to remember them later. Disuse and decay refer to the idea that memories may fade over time if they are not used or practiced. Repression is a psychoanalytic concept that refers to the unconscious blocking of painful or traumatic memories.

Question 14

The type of forgetting that results from a useful memory never being formed in the first place is known as
A) proactive interference.
B) retroactive interference.
C) repression.
D) encoding failure.

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure occurs when information does not enter our long-term memory due to lack of attention or effort in processing the information. This results in the inability to retrieve the memory later on.

Question 15

Regarding our memories for people, which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Encoding failures affect our memories when meeting new people.
B) Our memory for people is affected by our tendency to categorize strangers in very specific terms.
C) During brief social contacts, people often act as if members of other ethnic groups "all look alike."
D) People's inclinations to act as if members of other ethnic groups "all look alike" tends to disappear when they learn more about one another as individuals.

Accepted Answer

The statement that our memory for people is affected by our tendency to categorize strangers in very specific terms is true, not false. Encoding failures (A), the tendency to perceive members of other ethnic groups as looking alike (C), and the finding that this tendency decreases with familiarity (D) are all true.

Question 16

In the "Card Magic" demonstration, after you focused on one card out of the six, you were then shown six more cards, and your card seemed to disappear.What had actually occurred?
A) Most people tended to focus on the middle card, and this one was the one that seemed to disappear.
B) Most people tended to focus on the second card, and this one was the one that seemed to disappear.
C) Most people focused so intently on their choice that they did not notice that all five cards in the second presentation were new.
D) A quick loss of memory has occurred verifying Ebbinghaus' curve of forgetting.

Accepted Answer

The trick relied on a visual distraction where the audience member was so focused on their initial card choice that they did not notice that all the cards in the second presentation were new. Therefore, the original card choice was not present, giving the illusion that it had disappeared.

Question 17

Which of the following types of forgetting only seems to explain forgetting for sensory memory and short-term memory?
A) memory decay
B) disuse
C) repression
D) suppression

Accepted Answer

Memory decay refers to the natural fading of information from memory over time. This seems to explain why sensory memory and short-term memory have limited capacity and duration. Disuse, repression, and suppression involve more active processes and are more relevant to long-term memory.

Question 18

In the "Card Magic" demonstration in your textbook, your card appeared to disappear due to which type of forgetting?
A) encoding failure
B) disuse
C) retroactive interference
D) proactive interference

Accepted Answer

The card appeared to disappear due to encoding failure, as the audience was not able to encode and remember the card's location in the deck.

Question 19

If you tend to be absentminded, which theory of forgetting is probably to blame?
A) disuse
B) memory decay
C) encoding failure
D) repression

Accepted Answer

Encoding failure refers to the inability to create a strong or effective memory trace due to insufficient attention or elaboration during the encoding process. Absentmindedness involves forgetting details, events, or tasks due to not paying enough attention or failing to actively process information. Therefore, encoding failure is the most likely theory to explain absentmindedness.

Question 20

If you like to study while watching television or instant messaging, beware because dividing your attention like that often leads to forgetting due to
A) disuse.
B) memory decay.
C) encoding failure.
D) redintegration.

Accepted Answer

Dividing your attention while studying can lead to encoding failure, which means the information was never properly processed and therefore cannot be later recalled. This is different from disuse, where the information was not frequently used or recalled, and memory decay, where the memory trace fades over time. Redintegration refers to the process of remembering incomplete information based on related cues.

Quiz 7: Memory.

On a TV game show, you are asked which way Lincoln's head faces on a penny.You are unable to answer correctly, and you lose a large prize.Your memory failure is most likely a result of

If you can't remember whose picture is on a U.S.ten dollar bill, the most likely reason is

An experiment was conducted in which a person was talking to a young adult stranger when two workers carried a door between this person and the young man.Another young man was switched with the original stranger.Which of the following was one of the conclusions of this study?

When memories are stored, physical changes take place in brain activity and in the nerve cells.These physical changes are called

A good way to prevent encoding failure is to actively think about the information to be learned, a process known as

The fading or weakening of a memory trace due to a passage of time is called

Encoding failure is usually the result of which type of memory being disrupted by distractions?

Physical changes in nerve cells or brain activity that take place when memories are stored are referred to as

Memory decay only seems to explain forgetting for

Eyewitnesses tend to be better at identifying members of their own ethnic group than persons from other groups.This phenomenon is best explained by

After a long flight, a very tired Mark rented a car at the airport and drove to a nearby motel.The next morning, when he went to the parking lot, he could not remember what make, model, or color car he had rented.Mark's forgetting illustrates

The type of forgetting that results from a useful memory never being formed in the first place is known as

Regarding our memories for people, which of the following statements is FALSE?

In the "Card Magic" demonstration, after you focused on one card out of the six, you were then shown six more cards, and your card seemed to disappear.What had actually occurred?

Which of the following types of forgetting only seems to explain forgetting for sensory memory and short-term memory?

In the "Card Magic" demonstration in your textbook, your card appeared to disappear due to which type of forgetting?

If you tend to be absentminded, which theory of forgetting is probably to blame?

If you like to study while watching television or instant messaging, beware because dividing your attention like that often leads to forgetting due to