Question 1

As reflected by studies of priming, semantic memory appears to capture __________.

Accepted Answer

Studies of priming suggest that semantic memory captures sensory qualities, such as the visual or auditory features of a word or object, which can then be used to activate related concepts in memory.

Question 2

Concepts that are primed are __________.

Accepted Answer

Concepts that are primed are subsequently retrieved faster, meaning they are more easily brought into consciousness. However, this does not necessarily mean that they are always entered into consciousness or that they are always the target of a retrieval process.

Question 3

The process of priming in semantic memory can be controlled.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

In semantic priming, a concept in memory becomes more available after a related concept has been retrieved or activated. Priming effects are larger with __________.

Accepted Answer

Priming effects are larger with less semantic distance, meaning that when the related concept is more closely associated with the target concept, the priming effect will be stronger. This is because the activation of the related concept spreads more easily and quickly to the target concept when they are closely associated in memory.

Question 5

Semantic memory is memory for __________.

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory refers to a person's general knowledge about the world, including facts, concepts, and ideas. This type of memory is not related to specific events or personal experiences, and it is not typically acquired through conditioning or procedural learning.

Question 6

The amount of priming that occurs is likely to be the result of __________.

Accepted Answer

The amount of priming that occurs depends on the amount of overlap of the concepts. When two concepts share a lot of associations and features, priming is stronger. This is known as semantic priming. A and D are not directly related to the amount of priming that occurs. Neural generators (B) are responsible for generating the electrical signals that create priming effects, but the amount of priming that occurs is not determined by the neural generators themselves.

Question 7

Which is NOT true about semantic memory?

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is complex and highly structured, involving a network of interconnected concepts and knowledge. Option D is the only one that is not true.

Question 8

The increased availability of knowledge related to what is currently being thought about, either by an automatic or controlled process, is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Priming refers to the process by which exposure to a stimulus influences a response to a later stimulus, making certain responses more likely because of the increased availability of specific information. This can happen automatically or through a controlled process, where the mind is prepared to recognize and process certain types of information more efficiently.

Question 9

How is inhibition used in semantic memory?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition is used in semantic memory to deactivate related but irrelevant portions of semantic memory, allowing for more efficient retrieval and processing of relevant information. This helps to filter out distractions or irrelevant information that could interfere with cognitive processing.

Question 10

Which level of categorization captures a wide range of general information?

Accepted Answer

The superordinate level of categorization captures the most general and broad range of information. It includes very broad categories such as "animal" or "furniture" and provides little differentiation amongst items within the category.

Question 11

Priming is __________.

Accepted Answer

Priming is largely automatic, as it refers to the phenomenon where exposure to one stimulus influences the processing or response to a subsequent stimulus. However, priming can also be controlled to some extent, such as when we deliberately expose ourselves to certain stimuli to enhance our performance or memory. Therefore, both automatic and controlled processes can be involved in priming.

Question 12

How are concepts represented by nouns and verbs differentially represented?

Accepted Answer

Nouns and verbs are processed in different areas of the brain, with nouns primarily activating regions in the parietal lobe and verbs more associated with activity in the frontal lobe. This reflects the different cognitive processes involved in understanding objects (nouns) versus actions (verbs).

Question 13

A __________ conveys the associations with an idea, whereas a ___________ conveys an idea to which a set of assertions apply.

Accepted Answer

A concept conveys the general idea or understanding of something, while a category is a group or class of things that share certain characteristics. A category can be used to organize concepts, but it does not inherently convey an idea. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. Propositions, on the other hand, are statements that express something true or false, so they are not the most appropriate term to describe an idea to which a set of assertions apply.

Question 14

In semantic priming, a concept in memory becomes more available after a related concept has been retrieved or activated. In an actual study of memory, the initial concept is called the _______ and the second concept is called the ________.

Accepted Answer

In semantic priming, the initial concept is called the prime and the second concept is called the target.

Question 15

What is the usefulness of categorization?

Accepted Answer

Categorization helps us organize and make sense of the vast amount of information in our environment, allowing us to anticipate and predict what may come next. This can be particularly helpful for survival and problem-solving.

Question 16

If 2 entities are in the same category, this means that people_________ on at least some dimension.

Accepted Answer

When two entities are in the same category, people tend to treat them as equivalent on the dimension that defines that category. Hence, option A is the best choice. Option B talks about variability while option D talks about heterogeneity which are not relevant to the given statement. Option C suggests treating them as distinct which is opposite to what is mentioned in the statement.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT one of the levels of categorization?

Accepted Answer

The three levels of categorization are superordinate (general), basic (specific), and subordinate (subspecific). "Medial" is not a commonly used level of categorization.

Question 18

The level of categorization that has the greatest number of unique attributes associated with it is the __________.

Accepted Answer

The basic level of categorization typically has the most unique attributes associated with it, as it is the level at which we perceive objects as having the most salient and distinguishing features. The subordinate level may have more specific attributes, but they are often variations or elaborations of the basic level features. The superordinate level, on the other hand, tends to have fewer unique attributes because it encompasses a broad range of objects.

Question 19

According to the fan effect, increased numbers of connections with a concept can make retrieval from long-term episodic memory slower, whereas increased numbers of associations make retrieval from semantic memory faster. Why might this be the case?

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is organized based on the relationships between concepts, meaning that indirect connections between concepts are possible. This allows for faster retrieval when there are more associations between concepts. Episodic memory, on the other hand, is based on specific events and requires the retrieval of the entire context in which a memory was formed. The more connections there are with a concept in episodic memory, the more information needs to be retrieved, making retrieval slower.

Question 20

Mediated priming is __________.

Accepted Answer

Mediated priming is the process by which unassociated concepts are primed through intermediate concepts. For example, if the word "cat" is shown followed by the word "claws," and later the word "tree" is shown, participants will respond more quickly to words like "leaves" than to words like "rocks." This occurs because "cat" and "tree" are not directly related, but are both associated with "claws" and "leaves," respectively.

Quiz 9: Semantic Memory