Memory and Forgetting Flashcards
As described by Baddeley (2000), the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad are components of __________ memory.
A. procedural
B. prospective
C. working
D. sensory
Answer C is correct. According to Baddeley, the working memory aspect of short-term memory consists of a central executive and three subsystems – a phonological loop, a visuo-spatial sketchpad, and an episodic buffer.
Miller (1956) proposed that the capacity of short-term memory is fixed at __________ bits of information.
A. 7 +/- 2
B. 9 +/- 2
C. 7 +/- 3
D. 9 +/- 3
Answer A is correct. Miller proposed that between 5 and 9 (7+ 2) bits of information can be held in short-term memory.
The distinction between which of the following has been used to explain the serial position effect?
A. retrospective and prospective memory
B. iconic and echoic memory
C. short- and long-term memory
D. secondary and tertiary memory
Answer C is correct. When individuals are given a list of words to memorize and then immediately asked to recall as many words as possible, they usually exhibit both primacy and recency effects – i.e., they recall more words from the beginning and end of the list than words from the middle of the list. This serial position effect apparently occurs because words from the beginning of the list are in long-term memory and words from the end of the list are in short-term memory.
As described by Albert Bandura (1986), observational learning involves four processes, which include all of the following except:
A. motivation.
B. attention.
C. retention.
D. preparation.
Answer D is correct. Bandura concluded that observational learning depends on four mediational processes – attention, retention, production, and motivation.
Thomas just started his new job as a neuropsychologist at a thriving practice in Austin, Texas. During his internship, he was told to say “good job” whenever a patient performed well on a section or item of a neuropsychological test. However, during the orientation for his new position, the head clinical neuropsychologist told him to give patients feedback only at the end of the testing session. During his first neuropsychological evaluation at his new job, Thomas says “good job” whenever the patient gives the correct or preferred answer. This illustrates which of the following?
A. retroactive interference
B. proactive interference
C. the primacy effect
D. the recency effect
Answer B is correct. When distinguishing between proactive and retroactive interference, you want to determine what caused the interference. In the situation described in this question, previously learned information interfered with more recent information – and you can use the “pr” in previously to recognize that proactive interference occurred. (Retroactive interference occurs when recently acquired information is the source of interference.)
When using an acronym to memorize a list of words, you create:
A. a sentence using words that each start with the first letter of a different word in the list.
B. a word or pronounceable non-word from the first letter of each word in the list.
C. a visual image that links each word to a different object in a familiar location.
D. a visual image that links each word to another word in the word list.
Answer B is correct. Acronyms are also referred to as first letter mnemonics and involve creating a word or pronounceable non-word from the first letter of each word you’re trying to remember.
The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) procedure is used to study:
A. priming.
B. forgetting.
C. working memory.
D. false memory.
Answer D is correct. The DRM procedure involves asking subjects to read a list of semantically related words and, after a delay, asking them to recall as many of the words included in the list as possible. Studies using this procedure have found that it induces a false memory for words that are related to words in the list but were not included in the list.
