In an experiment by Adams, subjects were initially provided with information that would help them solve riddles. Which theoretical concept explains why problem-oriented acquisition of this information was better than fact-oriented acquisition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concept of transfer-appropriate processing explains why problem-oriented acquisition of information was better than fact-oriented acquisition in Adams' experiment. This theory suggests that memory performance is not only about the depth of processing (as suggested by the levels-of-processing framework) but also about how well the processing that occurs during encoding matches the processing required at retrieval. In the context of solving riddles, problem-oriented acquisition directly aligns with the type of processing needed to solve the riddles, making it more effective than merely acquiring facts.

In an Experiment by Adams, Subjects Were Initially Provided with Information