Question 1

"The effectiveness of memory retrieval is directly related to the similarity of cues present when the memory was encoded to the cues present when the memory is retrieved." What concept does this statement describe?

Accepted Answer

This statement describes the concept of encoding specificity, which suggests that the effectiveness of memory retrieval is enhanced when the cues present during retrieval are similar to those present during encoding. This concept highlights the importance of context-dependent memory and the role of environmental cues in memory recall. Choices A, B, D, and E are not directly related to this concept.

Question 2

The best place to take your biology exam to ensure good retrieval of biology concepts is in

Accepted Answer

The principle of context-dependent memory suggests that people are better able to retrieve information when they are in the same context in which they learned it. Therefore, taking a biology exam in the biology classroom, where the concepts were likely taught and studied, would enhance retrieval of biology concepts.

Question 3

Someone asks you to name the twenty-second president of the United States, but you can't remember. To aid your memory, the person then tells you that the president's name is the same as that of a large city on Lake Erie. Upon hearing the hint, you instantly realize that Grover Cleveland is the answer. In this situation, the hint acted as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The hint provided served as a retrieval cue, triggering the retrieval of the answer from memory.

Question 4

How do retrieval cues help you to remember?

Accepted Answer

Retrieval cues help to direct you to relevant information stored in long-term memory by triggering associations with previously stored information. For example, if you are trying to remember the name of a person you met at a party, seeing a picture of the party or thinking of the conversation you had with them could serve as retrieval cues that bring the person's name to mind.

Question 5

In the game show Jeopardy! contestants are tested on general information. The type of memory used to answer these kinds of questions is

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is the type of memory that stores general knowledge and information about the world, including facts, concepts, and categories. This is the type of memory that is needed to answer the general information questions asked in Jeopardy!

Question 6

To answer this multiple choice question, you must use

Accepted Answer

Recognition is used in multiple choice questions as it involves identifying the correct answer from a list of options.

Question 7

A police officer is shot in a gun battle with bank robbers. Although emergency brain surgery saves his life, it leaves him unable to store new information. The officer's family is applying to the state for compensation for his injuries. When asked to provide a diagnosis of the difficulties he suffers, what will they write?

Accepted Answer

Anterograde amnesia is the inability to create new memories after a certain point in time, which is the case for the police officer after his brain surgery. This is in contrast to retrograde amnesia, which is the inability to recall memories from before a certain point in time. The other answer choices are either not applicable or do not accurately describe the officer's condition.

Question 8

When asked to recall the date of John Kennedy's assassination, Peter draws a blank; however, when asked whether it was October 24, 1962; November 22, 1963; or February 1, 1965, he correctly answers with the second of the choices. This example most clearly demonstrates the value of

Accepted Answer

The fact that Peter was able to remember the date of John Kennedy's assassination when given a retrieval cue (i.e. a list of options to choose from) demonstrates the value of retrieval cues in aiding memory recall. This is option B.

Question 9

Many middle-aged adults can vividly recall where they were and what they were doing the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated, although they cannot remember what they were doing the day before he was assassinated. This is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a flashbulb memory, which is a highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshot' of the moment and circumstances in which a piece of surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard. The assassination of JFK was a significant and emotionally charged event that produced a powerful and vivid memory for many people.

Question 10

Mateo is 70 years old and had a stroke last year. He is now unable to remember how to get to and return from his new doctor's office using a specific route. What brain structure was potentially damaged by Mateo's stroke?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is primarily responsible for the consolidation of new memories and spatial navigation, both of which are involved in finding one's way to and from a location using a specific route. Damage to the hippocampus, such as from a stroke, can result in memory impairment and difficulties with spatial navigation.

Question 11

A patient's chart indicates he just had surgery to remove his hippocampus as a result of a tumor. What change do you anticipate in the patient after the operation?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories, particularly declarative memories which include facts and events. Therefore, the patient is likely to have difficulty in remembering new information after the removal of their hippocampus.

Question 12

If ________ amnesia is like losing a document in the computer because of a power loss, then ________ amnesia is like pushing the save key and having the document disappear instead of being stored.

Accepted Answer

The first blank should be filled with "retrograde amnesia" as this type of amnesia refers to the inability to remember events that occurred before the onset of amnesia. The second blank should be filled with "anterograde amnesia" as this type of amnesia refers to the inability to form new memories after the onset of amnesia. The analogy provided suggests that retrograde amnesia is like losing a document due to a power failure, while anterograde amnesia is like successfully pressing the save button, but still losing the data. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Question 13

Recalling the definition of long-term memory is an example of ________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Long-term memory is a type of memory that has a relatively permanent storage capacity and can last anywhere from a few hours to several years. Semantics refers to the encoding, storage, and retrieval of generalized knowledge about the world, which is a key function of long-term memory. The other options are different types of memory: episodic memory involves the storage and retrieval of personal experiences, working memory refers to the temporary storage and manipulation of information, implicit memory involves unconscious memories for skills or habits, and procedural memory is a specific type of implicit memory for motor skills or procedures.

Question 14

Under most circumstances, when you are intentionally trying to remember an item of information, ________ is a less demanding task than ________.

Accepted Answer

Recognition is generally less demanding than recall because it involves identifying previously learned information from a set of options, whereas recall requires retrieving information without cues.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about flashbulb memories is true?

Accepted Answer

Flashbulb memories tend to be as accurate as other types of memories, as research has shown that they can be subject to distortions and errors just like any other memory.

Question 16

An emotionally arousing event will cause

Accepted Answer

Emotionally arousing events tend to be better remembered because they activate the amygdala, which helps to encode memories. This enhanced encoding can lead to better retrieval and an overall enhanced ability to remember the event.

Question 17

Because ideas in LTM are stored in terms of meaning, a practical way to improve memory is to

Accepted Answer

Making the material meaningful when it is in working memory ensures that it will be stored in LTM in a more organized and accessible manner. This can be achieved through techniques such as creating associations between new information and preexisting knowledge or using elaboration strategies to deepen understanding. Cutting down on alcohol intake or waiting until the last moment to learn new material can actually impair memory, while studying in a noisy and crowded environment or using only maintenance rehearsal may not be effective in creating lasting memories.

Question 18

We are always aware of ________ memory, whereas ________ memory may be incidentally learned.

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about memory types that we are aware of (i.e. conscious effort is involved in encoding/ retrieving them) versus memory types that are learned without conscious awareness. Semantic and episodic memories are both conscious efforts because they are explicit/ declarative memories that require conscious effort. Implicit memories, on the other hand, are not conscious because they are non-declarative memories that are not consciously recalled (e.g. procedural memories). Therefore, option D, explicit and implicit memories, best fits the description provided.

Question 19

If I asked you what you ate for dinner on Saturday, it might be a difficult task. However, if I reminded you that you went to Outback Steakhouse with your mother and aunt, it may be easier to remember. Why is that?

Accepted Answer

Retrieval cues are hints or reminders that make it easier to access a memory. In this case, the mention of Outback Steakhouse and the presence of specific individuals serves as a retrieval cue for the memory of what was eaten for dinner on Saturday.

Question 20

Your ability to remember where you were the morning of September 11, 2001, is an example of a(n) ________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Flashbulb memories are highly vivid and detailed memories of significant and emotional events that are stored in long-term memory. The morning of September 11th is a classic example of a flashbulb memory for many people because of the strong emotional impact of the terrorist attacks.

Quiz 5: Memory