Q: Which equation best represents Miller's finding about the capacity of short-term memory?

$$ STM_{capacity} = 7 \pm 2 \text{ chunks} $$

Question 1

Which aspect of memory is most directly influenced by top-down processing, as referenced in the lecture question 'How does this relate to top down processing?'?

Accepted Answer

Encoding into long-term memory, because top-down processing uses prior knowledge and experience to create meaningful connections and enhance memory.

Question 2

According to the Modal Model of Memory, which process is most improved by elaborative rehearsal, and why?

Accepted Answer

Long-term memory, because elaborative rehearsal creates deeper, meaningful encoding that facilitates storage and later retrieval.

Question 3

In the Peterson and Peterson (1959) experiment, what was the main purpose of having participants count backwards by threes?

Accepted Answer

To distract participants and prevent maintenance rehearsal, thereby testing the duration of short-term memory.

Question 4

Which equation best represents Miller's finding about the capacity of short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

$$ STM_{capacity} = 7 \pm 2 	ext{ chunks} $$

Question 5

Which memory phenomenon is illustrated by the tendency to remember items at the beginning and end of a list, but not the middle?

Accepted Answer

Primacy and recency effects, which together form the serial position curve.

Question 6

Why do amnesic patients typically lack the primacy effect in memory recall tasks?

Accepted Answer

Because damage to the hippocampus impairs their ability to encode new long-term memories.

Question 7

What is the main difference between maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance rehearsal keeps information in short-term memory, while elaborative rehearsal encodes information into long-term memory.

Question 8

Which real-world scenario best illustrates state-dependent learning?

Accepted Answer

A student who studies while drinking coffee performs better on a test when also drinking coffee.

Question 9

In the chess memory experiment (Chase and Simon, 1973), why did expert players recall more pieces in meaningful positions than novices?

Accepted Answer

Experts used schemas to organize and encode information more efficiently.

Question 10

Which process is most likely to fail if you forget someone's name shortly after meeting them, according to the Modal Model?

Accepted Answer

Encoding, because the information was not transferred from short-term to long-term memory.

Question 11

Which memory technique is most effective for remembering a list of unrelated words?

Accepted Answer

Using mnemonic devices such as chunking or creating meaningful associations.

Question 12

What is the primary function of sensory memory in the Modal Model?

Accepted Answer

To act as a brief buffer for incoming sensory information before it is processed further.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why context-dependent learning can improve memory retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Because the environmental cues present during encoding are also present during retrieval, facilitating access to stored information.

Question 14

If a student remembers the first and last items in a list but forgets the middle, which equation best describes their recall pattern?

Accepted Answer

$$ Recall_{serial} = Primacy + Recency $$

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a plausible reason for forgetting information according to the Modal Model?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the duration of sensory memory.

Question 16

Which process is most likely to be enhanced by connecting new information to personal experiences?

Accepted Answer

Elaborative rehearsal, which deepens encoding and improves long-term memory.

Question 17

What is the main lesson from the Eich et al. (1975) study on state-dependent learning?

Accepted Answer

The congruence between encoding and retrieval conditions significantly affects memory performance.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of schemas in memory?

Accepted Answer

Schemas organize information, making it easier to encode and recall from long-term memory.

Question 19

Which memory technique would be most helpful for a novice chess player trying to remember random chess positions?

Accepted Answer

Chunking pieces into meaningful groups based on prior knowledge.

Question 20

Which process is most likely to be disrupted if a person is unable to recall information after a delay, as shown in the Peterson and Peterson task?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory retention, due to interference and lack of rehearsal.

7. The Modal Model of Memory and Memory Techniques

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