In the context of AP Psychology, which of the following best defines recognition as a memory process?

• A. The process of retrieving information from memory without any cues, such as recalling an answer in a free-response question.
• B. The ability to identify previously learned information when presented with it, such as recognizing the correct answer on a multiple-choice test.
• C. The process of organizing information into meaningful units to aid memory retention.
• D. The tendency to remember information better when in the same context in which it was learned.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that recognition is a specific type of memory retrieval process, distinct from recall and other memory functions.
2. Step 2: Recall that recognition involves identifying previously encountered information when it is presented again, often with cues or options to choose from.
3. Step 3: Compare recognition to recall, where recall requires retrieving information without explicit cues, such as answering a free-response question.
4. Step 4: Eliminate options that describe other memory processes, such as organizing information (which relates to encoding) or context-dependent memory (which relates to retrieval conditions).
5. Step 5: Conclude that recognition is best defined as the ability to identify previously learned information when presented with it, like recognizing the correct answer on a multiple-choice test.