Question 1

Working memory (WM) has been likened to a desk space that holds the current information for a short period of time. This analogy is problematic in what way?

Accepted Answer

The desk analogy suggests that WM is only capable of short-term storage, when in reality WM is involved in various cognitive processes such as manipulation, transformation, and retrieval of information. Therefore, the analogy is too limited in describing the true capacity and function of WM.

Question 2

When thinking of a list of digits in terms of racing times, one person is found to report up to 79 digits. This suggests that this person

Accepted Answer

The ability to remember up to 79 digits suggests that the person used a unique chunking strategy. Chunking is the process of grouping information into smaller, more manageable units, which makes it easier to remember. With the use of a chunking strategy, this person could have effectively memorized the digits in shorter sequences, making it easier for them to recall larger amounts of information.

Question 3

According to the modal model of memory, words presented early in a list are easier to remember than words presented later because

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

When recalling a list of letters (e.g., T, O, D, F, P, A, E, G ), participants may group the letters into syllables for future recall (e.g., TO, DIF ). Which of these answers is a potential problem for this strategy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When recalling a list of letters (e.g.,...

Question 5

Free recall refers to

Accepted Answer

Free recall refers to the ability to recall items from a list in any order, without any prompts or cues. It is different from word association (A) or recalling experiences (C) based on a prompt or cue. It also does not necessarily require fewer attentional resources (D).

Question 6

The modal model has seen some revision in recent years, but a few key components remain. Which of the following is no longer an accepted aspect of the modal model?

Accepted Answer

Working memory is now understood to be involved in both the temporary storage and manipulation of information, not just storage.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT considered a modern change to the modal model of memory?

Accepted Answer

Working memory and long-term memory are still considered separate constructs in the modal model of memory. In fact, the modern perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationships and interactions between these two memory systems. The other options (A, B, and C) all represent modern changes to the modal model of memory.

Question 8

When asked to recall a list of 25 words, participants are likely to remember only some of them. The words they can recall are likely to include

Accepted Answer

This is known as the serial position effect, where participants are most likely to remember the first few words on the list (primacy effect) as well as the last few words on the list (recency effect). The middle words are less likely to be recalled. Therefore, choice B is the best answer, as it includes both the first few and last few words on the list.

Question 9

The modal model asserts that information processing involves at least two kinds of memory: working memory and long-term memory (LTM). Working memory

Accepted Answer

Working memory differs from LTM in how easily one can access the stored items. Working memory has a limited capacity to hold items for a short period of time, but it is more easily accessible than long-term memories.

Question 10

The operations through which we gain new knowledge, retain that knowledge, and later use that knowledge are often divided into three categories. Which of the following is NOT one of those categories?

Accepted Answer

The three categories of knowledge operations are acquisition (gaining new knowledge), storage (retaining that knowledge), and retrieval (using that knowledge). Deliberation is not considered one of the primary categories of knowledge operations.

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT correlate with working-memory capacity?

Accepted Answer

Making an eye movement toward a cue is actually related to working-memory capacity. The other three options, reading ability, reasoning skills, and following directions, are all correlated with working-memory capacity.

Question 12

A sudden, loud noise often has the impact of distracting participants long enough to clear the contents of working memory. Imagine that participants hear a list of the names of 20 different fruits, followed by an unexpected loud noise. The effect of the noise will be

Accepted Answer

The sudden, loud noise will disrupt the recency effect, which is the better recall of items at the end of the list due to them still being in working memory. However, it should not have a significant impact on the other items in the list, including the primacy effect, which is the better recall of items at the beginning of the list due to them being rehearsed more. Therefore, choice D, a diminished recency effect but no impact on how well the other words in the list are remembered, is the best answer.

Question 13

Current theory suggests that the central executive may be

Accepted Answer

Current theory suggests that the central executive is a theoretical construct that refers to a collection of cognitive resources, rather than a specific brain region. It is thought to be responsible for coordinating and regulating other cognitive processes, such as attention, working memory, and decision-making. Therefore, option B, "another name for various cognitive resources," is the most accurate description of the central executive.

Question 14

A participant who is asked to recall a series of numbers chooses to think about the numbers as though they were years (e.g., 1, 9, 9, 7 becomes "The year I turned 16"). The participant is organizing information into the memory unit known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The participant is grouping the numbers into meaningful units or chunks, such as a year, which is a common mnemonic strategy for organizing information into memory.

Question 15

Early estimates of working-memory capacity relied on the digit-span task. The data indicate working memory capacity to be

Accepted Answer

Early estimates of working-memory capacity were based on the digit-span task and found that the average capacity for adults is around 7 items. This means that most people can hold approximately 7 items in their working memory at a time, with some individuals able to hold a few more and others holding a few less. Options A, C, and B are not accurate estimates of working memory capacity based on the current research.

Question 16

One difference between working memory and long-term memory is that

Accepted Answer

Working memory is involved in the processing and manipulation of information that is currently being used or thought about, reflecting the content of one's current thinking. In contrast, long-term memory stores information more permanently and is not directly influenced by current cognitive processes.

Question 17

In list-learning experiments, participants' performance in the pre-recency portion of the curve will be improved by

Accepted Answer

Using more common, familiar words may improve participants' performance in the pre-recency portion of the curve because these words are more likely to be stored in long-term memory and therefore easier to recall.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT an attribute of working memory (sometimes called short-term memory)?

Accepted Answer

Working memory has a limited storage capacity, in contrast to long-term memory which has unlimited capacity.

Question 19

An experimenter reads a list of 30 words to a group of participants at the rate of one word per second. This is immediately followed by a free-recall test. A second group of participants hears the same 30 words presented at the faster rate of two words per second. We should expect that the group hearing the slower presentation will show improved memory performance for the

Accepted Answer

The answer of An experimenter reads a list of 30...

Question 20

Which of these is NOT true for an information-processing view of memory?

Accepted Answer

An information-processing view of memory does not involve all steps of the model running in parallel. Rather, it involves each step occurring sequentially, with the output of one step serving as the input for the next step in the sequence.

Quiz 5: The Acquisition of Memories and the Working-Memory System