Question 1

Timmy is visiting the dog pound and looking for a new pet. He looks from cage to cage until he suddenly sees a collie sitting in the far corner. He thinks to himself, "That dog looks great. I think I'll bring her home and name her Lassie." At this moment, the best example of what's in Tommy's working memory would be the

Accepted Answer

Timmy's thoughts about the collie and his decision to adopt her are occupying his working memory. These thoughts involve words, such as "That dog looks great" and "I'll bring her home and name her Lassie," which he is saying to himself. Therefore, the best example of what's in Timmy's working memory would be the words that he is currently thinking.

Question 2

Which pair is best known for developing an information-processing-based model of memory?

Accepted Answer

Atkinson and Shriffin are best known for developing the information-processing-based model of memory, also known as the Atkinson-Shiffrin model. This model suggests that memory consists of three stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Question 3

Cognitive theorists suggest that the most likely order of the process of memory when information is being processed for the first time would be

Accepted Answer

According to cognitive theorists, the process of memory starts with encoding, which involves transforming the sensory information into a form that can be processed and stored. After encoding, the information goes through consolidation, which involves the stabilization and strengthening of the memory traces. Then, the information is stored in memory for future use. Finally, when needed, the information is retrieved from memory. Therefore, the most likely order of the process of memory when information is being processed for the first time would be encoding, consolidation, storage, and retrieval. Option A is the only one that follows this order.

Question 4

Research participant "AJ" (real name Jill Price) has the unusual ability to

Accepted Answer

Jill Price, also known as "AJ," has hyperthymesia, which allows her to vividly recall past events as if they are happening in the present.

Question 5

The main distinction between short-term memory and working memory is that working memory is

Accepted Answer

Working memory involves actively processing information, manipulating it, and using it to perform cognitive tasks, while short-term memory is simply the ability to hold a small amount of information in mind for a short period of time. Working memory is not necessarily larger, unconscious, or sensory based, as it can involve different types of information and processing depending on the task at hand.

Question 6

Information typically stays in _____ for the briefest amount of time.

Accepted Answer

Sensory register is where information is held for a very brief amount of time before either being forgotten or being processed further into working memory or short-term memory.

Question 7

Which statement concerning memory is true?

Accepted Answer

Working memory, also known as short-term memory, provides a temporary space for processing information. The sensory register is a separate component of memory that holds information from our five senses for a very brief period of time (a few seconds at most) before it is either transferred to working memory or forgotten. Long-term memory is the storage system for our memories that have been transferred from working memory and can potentially last a lifetime. Long-term memory is believed to exist from birth.

Question 8

Which is the best description of a typical short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory has a fairly brief duration of a few seconds and a small capacity of about seven items. This is based on research by George Miller that found the average person can only remember about 7 plus or minus 2 items in their short-term memory at once.

Question 9

Ethel looks up the phone number of a gas station and remembers it just long enough to walk over to the telephone and dial. When she is dialing, the information is contained in her

Accepted Answer

Ethel's ability to remember the phone number just long enough to dial it suggests that the information is being held in her short-term memory, which has a limited capacity and duration.

Question 10

As you are reading this exam question, what would best represent information in your long-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Long-term memory refers to the storage of information for an extended period of time. Therefore, the information about the concept of long-term memory that was encoded during the previous night's study session would be the best representation of information in long-term memory. The other options, such as the light waves or words from the exam question, only represent information that is being processed in the moment and are examples of sensory or working memory, which have a limited duration.

Question 11

Shirley is introduced to her friend's mother. While Shirley heard the woman's name, she had no idea what the woman's name was immediately after it was spoken. It is most accurate to say that the woman's name

Accepted Answer

If Shirley did not immediately remember the woman's name after hearing it, it indicates that the name did not make it past her sensory register, which is responsible for briefly holding sensory information before it is processed further. This suggests that the name was not encoded into her memory at all.

Question 12

Information is stored in _____ memory for a relatively permanent period of time.

Accepted Answer

Long-term memory is the storehouse of information that is retained for a prolonged duration (from hours to decades). This information can be accessed at a later point in time.

Question 13

In the information-processing model, the purpose of the sensory register is to

Accepted Answer

The sensory register receives information from the environment through our senses and briefly holds it for possible processing. It acts as a filter for the vast amount of information we encounter and prioritizes what information should be attended to and potentially transferred to short-term memory.

Question 14

The information-processing approach to learning

Accepted Answer

The information-processing approach to learning likens the human mind to a computer, where information is processed and transformed through various cognitive processes such as attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving. It does not exclusively focus on genetics, modeling and imitation, or affective responses.

Question 15

An information-processing theorist would most likely refer to _____ as being part of the mind's "software."

Accepted Answer

Information-processing theory views the mind as a computer-like system where information is processed through a series of mental processes. These mental processes, such as attention, perception, and memory, are considered to be part of the mind's "software." Mental problem-solving strategies are also viewed as part of this "software," as they are cognitive processes that help individuals process information and solve problems. Therefore, the correct answer is D) mental problem-solving strategies. Choices A) the brain, B) sensory receptors, and C) neural connections are part of the mind's "hardware" rather than its "software."

Question 16

Encoding is best described as the process of

Accepted Answer

Encoding refers to the process of taking in new information and putting it into the memory system. Therefore, the best choice is B, which accurately describes this process.

Question 17

Who would be most likely to describe the process of reading and understanding this test question by focusing exclusively on the concepts of an "external stimulus" and an "overt response," with no discussion of the mind?

Accepted Answer

Behaviorists focus primarily on observable behavior and typically disregard internal mental processes, so Larry is most likely to describe the process of reading and understanding this test question by focusing on the concepts of an "external stimulus" (the question) and an "overt response" (the reader's behavior in answering the question) without discussing mental processes.

Question 18

In the information-processing approach, hardware is to software as

Accepted Answer

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory storage devices. Similarly, in the information-processing approach, the nervous system serves as the hardware that processes information. Software, on the other hand, refers to the programs and instructions that control the functions of the hardware. In the information-processing approach, the skills and strategies used to retrieve information can be thought of as the software that operates on the hardware of the nervous system. Therefore, option A is the best choice, as it correctly matches the hardware-software analogy to the nervous system-skills used to retrieve information analogy.

Question 19

When someone asks you, "What's on your mind?" the response you give would best exemplify the information currently in your

Accepted Answer

"What's on your mind?" is typically referring to the immediate thoughts or information that is currently being processed in one's working memory.

Question 20

The information-processing approach stresses all of the following basic mental processes EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The information-processing approach focuses on how people perceive, store, and retrieve information in their minds. It emphasizes attention, perception, and decision-making as key mental processes, but does not explicitly address the role of reinforcers in the cognitive system.

Quiz 8: Memory and Information Processing