Randy is recovering from an automobile accident in which he injured his head. The only noticeable psychological symptom of his injury is that he cannot remember what happened immediately prior to the accident. Randy's symptoms are typical of ________.
A) retrograde amnesia
B) organic amnesia
C) anterograde amnesia
D) psychogenic amnesia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Randy's inability to remember events before the accident is characteristic of retrograde amnesia, which is the loss of memories that occurred before the onset of amnesia. This type of amnesia is often caused by physical injury to the brain, such as a head injury. Organic amnesia would involve broader losses in memory function, while anterograde amnesia would prevent Randy from forming new memories after the accident. Psychogenic amnesia is thought to have a psychological rather than physical cause, and Randy's symptoms do not suggest this type of amnesia.

Randy Is Recovering from an Automobile Accident in Which He