Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the spreading activation model in cognitive psychology?

• A. It proposes that information is stored exclusively in short-term memory.
• B. Activation of one concept in memory can trigger the activation of related concepts.
• C. The model suggests that memory is organized in a strict hierarchical structure with no overlap between categories.
• D. The spreading activation model assumes that concepts are unrelated and retrieved independently.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the spreading activation model is a theory in cognitive psychology explaining how information is retrieved from memory by activating related concepts.
2. Recognize that according to this model, when one concept in memory is activated, this activation spreads to related concepts, making them more accessible.
3. Note that the model does not limit information storage to short-term memory; it primarily concerns long-term memory organization and retrieval.
4. Be aware that the model does not propose a strict hierarchical structure without overlap; instead, it allows for a network of interconnected concepts with overlapping associations.
5. Conclude that the accurate statement is that activation of one concept can trigger activation of related concepts, reflecting the interconnected nature of memory networks.