Which one of the following behaviors is most consistent with the idea that long-term memory is organized as a hierarchy?
A) Aaron answers the question, "Is a barracuda a fish?" faster than he answers the question, "Is a barracuda an animal?"
B) Betsy answers the question, "Is a tree a living thing?" faster than she answers the question, "Is a tree a plant?"
C) When asked to picture a robin in his mind, Colin describes his image in vivid detail.
D) When asked to explain how to climb a tree, Darla describes a detailed series of arm and leg movements.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hierarchy of long-term memory means that information is stored and retrieved through a process of association and categorization. This means that some information is easier to access than others. Option A shows that Aaron is able to answer the question about barracuda faster when it is categorized under "fish" rather than just "animal", which suggests that he is accessing information based on a hierarchical system. Options B, C, and D do not necessarily indicate hierarchical organization of long-term memory.

Which One of the Following Behaviors Is Most Consistent with the Idea