Question 1

In the discussion of the case of Robert Cotton, the text states that Jennifer Thompson "remembered" Cotton as being the man who attacked her in 1984. Explain why the word remembered was in quotes, both in the context of the case and in a broader context of overall memory.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Which of the following is key to the illusory truth effect?

Accepted Answer

The illusory truth effect is the phenomenon that people are more likely to believe a statement to be true if they have heard it before. This is because familiarity gives the impression of truth, regardless of its actual accuracy. Repetition plays a critical role in creating this effect.

Question 3

Define source monitoring errors and describe some research that illustrates them. Then explain why these errors reinforce the characterization of memory as being "constructive."

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

Which of the following is most commonly associated with music-enhanced autobiographical memories (MEAMS)?

Accepted Answer

Music-enhanced autobiographical memories (MEAMS) are memories that are strongly tied to a particular piece of music. These memories are often associated with strong emotions, such as nostalgia or joy. Therefore, the most commonly associated factor with MEAMS is emotion. A and B are not typically associated with MEAMS, and while culture may play a role in the type of music associated with specific memories, it is not the most commonly associated factor.

Question 5

Memories of the past that have been pushed out of a person's consciousness are considered to be ________.

Accepted Answer

Memories of the past that have been pushed out of a person's consciousness are considered to be repressed. This is a defense mechanism where the brain blocks out memories that are too traumatic, painful, or unacceptable to recall. These memories can resurface later in life, often through therapy or other means of accessing the unconscious mind. False memories are memories that a person believes to be true, but did not actually happen. Illusory memories are false memories that are created by suggestion or misinformation. Flashbulb memories are vivid and emotional memories of significant events, such as a person's first kiss or the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Question 6

Latoya is remembering a fun day at the beach that she had with her dad when she was a little girl. Which region of brain will have the LEAST connection to the more personal aspects of Latoya's memory?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Define the illusory truth effect. What are some potential dangers or risks associated with this phenomenon? Give an example to support your thinking.

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

The other day, Thuy experienced a Proustian effect memory. What did Thuy likely do to trigger this experience?

Accepted Answer

A Proustian effect memory is a phenomenon where experiencing a taste, smell, or other sensory input triggers a vivid and emotional memory. Therefore, smelling a perfume is the most likely option to trigger this experience.

Question 9

Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, Harry believes that drinking dandelion tea would improve his long-term memory because he saw several news stories and articles about it online. What is Harry experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Harry is experiencing the illusory truth effect, which refers to the phenomenon where people are more likely to believe information to be true if they have been exposed to it multiple times, regardless of whether it is actually true or not. In this case, Harry has been exposed to multiple news stories and articles about dandelion tea improving memory, which makes him more likely to believe it to be true, despite scientific evidence to the contrary.

Question 10

Which of the following terms does NOT reflect the concept of flashbulb memories?

Accepted Answer

Flashbulb memories are highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshots' of the moment and circumstances in which a piece of surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard, rather than being highly accurate recollections. They can be subject to change or distortion over time, hence "accurate" does not reflect their nature.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of the cognitive interview technique?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive interview technique involves allowing witnesses to talk with minimal interruption from the interviewer, which is reflected in option C. Option A is incorrect because although witnesses are asked questions, they are not necessarily asked to rate their confidence level. Option B is incorrect because the cognitive interview technique does not involve positive reinforcement, but rather encourages witnesses to provide as much detail as possible. Option D is incorrect because the cognitive interview technique involves starting with open-ended questions, rather than simple filler questions, to allow witnesses to provide as much information as possible.

Question 12

Provide an example of when you experienced the Proustian effect. What was your response to the experience?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

The "wedding reception" false memory experiment shows that false memories can be explained as a product of familiarity and

Accepted Answer

The "wedding reception" false memory experiment demonstrated that false memories can arise as a result of source misattribution, where participants confused imagined details with actual memories. Familiarity played a role in this process, making the imagined events feel more realistic and likely to be remembered as genuine. Retroactive interference refers to new information interfering with the recall of old memories, which is not relevant to this experiment. Consequentiality relates to the significance or importance a memory holds for an individual, which was not a factor in this study. Confabulation refers to the creation of false memories due to neurological or psychiatric disorders, and was not a factor in this study.

Question 14

An important application of memory research has been in understanding the nature of eyewitness testimony. Citing the research in your text, explain why people make errors in eyewitness testimony.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

After witnessing a bank robbery downtown, Javier completed a cognitive interview at the police station. What term would Javier likely use to describe his interview experience?

Accepted Answer

The term "multidimensional" refers to the cognitive interview's focus on recalling different aspects of the event (such as sights, sounds, and emotions) in order to create a more complete and accurate memory. A cognitive interview is also designed to be open-ended and flexible, which can help reduce suggestibility compared to more structured interviews.

Question 16

Ellen is 52 years old. Which of the following experiences has most likely faded from her memory?

Accepted Answer

Winning the first grade spelling bee likely occurred around 45 years ago for Ellen, so it is more likely to have faded from her memory compared to the other experiences listed.

Question 17

Explain why a flashbulb memory is both special and ordinary. Provide an example of a flashbulb memory from your own experience to support your thinking.

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Which of the following has been shown to play a role in the strength of memories that are associated with emotion?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol, a stress hormone, has been shown to play a role in strengthening memories that are associated with emotion. High levels of cortisol are released in response to stress, and this hormone can enhance the consolidation and retrieval of emotionally significant memories.

Question 19

According to the cognitive hypothesis, experiences that occur during periods of rapid personal development followed by periods of stability tend to be easier to remember due to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

According to the cognitive hypothesis, experiences that occur during periods of rapid personal development followed by periods of stability tend to be easier to remember due to strong encoding. This means that the memories are more deeply processed and stored in the long-term memory, making them easier to recall later on.

Question 20

Explain why it is better that we cannot remember every single thing that we experience.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 8: Everyday Memory and Memory Errors