Many years ago, telephone numbers had only four or five digits. Even now, no more than seven digits (not counting area code) are used for phone numbers. The most reasonable psychological explanation for this is that there is a(n) ________.
A) direct relationship between the number of items in short-term memory and their retention
B) inverse relationship between the number of items in short-term memory and their retention
C) direct relationship between the number of items in the sensory registers and their retention
D) inverse relationship between the number of items in the sensory registers and their retention

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most reasonable psychological explanation for phone numbers having only four or five digits in the past and no more than seven digits now is that there is an inverse relationship between the number of items in short-term memory and their retention. This means that the more digits a phone number has, the harder it is for people to remember it accurately. It is easier to remember phone numbers with fewer digits because they are easier to maintain in short-term memory. Therefore, phone numbers were kept short to increase the chances of people remembering them correctly.

Many Years Ago, Telephone Numbers Had Only Four or Five