PSYC 435 Exam 2 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025
Do I understand how the modal model works? - Answers The modal model describes how memory is
processed and stored in three stages: sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. Understanding it
means grasping these memory stages and their functions.
Can I identify characteristics of sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory - Answers
Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information, like sights and sounds. Short-term memory is a
limited-capacity system for temporary storage, and long-term memory stores information over an
extended period.
What is the capacity and duration of short-term memory? What can influence the capacity and
duration? - Answers Short-term memory has a limited capacity, typically around 7 ± 2 items. Its duration
is relatively short, roughly 20-30 seconds, but can be extended through rehearsal and the use of
mnemonic techniques.
Do I understand how the Brown-Peterson task works and what it can tell us about short-term memory -
Answers The Brown-Peterson task is a memory experiment where participants are asked to remember a
sequence of items while performing a distracting task to prevent rehearsal. It demonstrates the limited
duration of items in short-term memory and the interference caused by new information when
rehearsing is prevented, offering insights into the fragile nature of short-term memory.
What is the difference between maintenance and elaborative rehearsal? - Answers Maintenance
rehearsal involves simply repeating information to keep it in short-term memory, while elaborative
rehearsal involves actively processing and connecting the information, making it more likely to be
transferred to long-term memory. Elaborative rehearsal is generally more effective for long-term
retention.
What are the two theories to explain why we forget information in short-term memory? - Answers Two
theories explaining short-term memory forgetting are interference theory, which suggests that new
information disrupts the old, and decay theory, proposing that memory traces fade with time and
disuse. Both theories highlight factors contributing to the limited duration of information in short-term
memory.
What is the difference between proactive and retroactive interference? Can I identify examples of each -
Answers Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information disrupts the recall of new
information, while retroactive interference happens when new information hinders the recall of
previously learned material. For example, in proactive interference, an old phone number interferes
with remembering a new one, while in retroactive interference, a recent password makes it harder to
recall an old one.
What is the serial position effect (e.g. primacy and recency effects)? How can STM and LTM explain
these findings? - Answers The serial position effect refers to the tendency to better remember the first
(primacy) and last (recency) items in a list. Short-term memory (STM) is associated with recency, as it
, holds the most recent items, while long-term memory (LTM) is linked to primacy, as it allows for the
encoding of earlier items, demonstrating how both memory systems contribute to these findings.
What are strengths and weaknesses of the modal model? - Answers Strengths of the modal model
include its simplicity and ability to explain memory processes clearly. However, it oversimplifies memory
and does not fully capture the complexity of how different memory systems interact and function.
How can we support information being encoding in LTM? - Answers To support information encoding in
long-term memory, use techniques like elaborative rehearsal, creating meaningful associations, and
employing mnemonic devices. Additionally, ensuring a proper balance of sleep, stress management, and
regular review can enhance the encoding process.
What is the spacing effect? - Answers The spacing effect is the phenomenon where information is better
retained when it is studied over multiple, spaced intervals rather than in a single, massed session. This
principle suggests that distributed practice is more effective for long-term memory retention compared
to cramming.
What is the levels-of-processing theory? - Answers The levels-of-processing theory suggests that the
depth at which information is processed during encoding determines its memorability. Information
processed at a deeper, more meaningful level is more likely to be stored in long-term memory than
information processed at a shallow, surface level.
What is the testing effect? - Answers The testing effect, also known as retrieval practice, is a learning
phenomenon where actively recalling information during the study process enhances long-term
retention. This effect demonstrates that the act of testing or self-assessment can significantly improve
memory compared to passive review.
How can we support information being retrieved from LTM? - Answers To support information retrieval
from long-term memory, use techniques like spaced repetition, self-testing, and practicing recall of the
material. Creating associations and context cues related to the information can also aid in successful
retrieval.
What is encoding specificity/context effects? - Answers Encoding specificity, or context effects, refers to
the phenomenon where memory retrieval is enhanced when the context during retrieval matches the
context during encoding. This highlights how the environment or situational cues can significantly
influence the successful retrieval of information from long-term memory.
What were the results from Godden and Baddeley (1975)? - Answers Godden and Baddeley's 1975 study
found that scuba divers who learned lists of words underwater performed better when recalling them
underwater compared to on land. This supports the concept of context-dependent memory and the idea
that retrieval is facilitated when the environmental context at recall matches the context at encoding.
10. What is working memory? How does it differ from STM? - Answers Working memory is a system that
temporarily holds and manipulates information for cognitive tasks. It differs from short-term memory
Do I understand how the modal model works? - Answers The modal model describes how memory is
processed and stored in three stages: sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. Understanding it
means grasping these memory stages and their functions.
Can I identify characteristics of sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory - Answers
Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information, like sights and sounds. Short-term memory is a
limited-capacity system for temporary storage, and long-term memory stores information over an
extended period.
What is the capacity and duration of short-term memory? What can influence the capacity and
duration? - Answers Short-term memory has a limited capacity, typically around 7 ± 2 items. Its duration
is relatively short, roughly 20-30 seconds, but can be extended through rehearsal and the use of
mnemonic techniques.
Do I understand how the Brown-Peterson task works and what it can tell us about short-term memory -
Answers The Brown-Peterson task is a memory experiment where participants are asked to remember a
sequence of items while performing a distracting task to prevent rehearsal. It demonstrates the limited
duration of items in short-term memory and the interference caused by new information when
rehearsing is prevented, offering insights into the fragile nature of short-term memory.
What is the difference between maintenance and elaborative rehearsal? - Answers Maintenance
rehearsal involves simply repeating information to keep it in short-term memory, while elaborative
rehearsal involves actively processing and connecting the information, making it more likely to be
transferred to long-term memory. Elaborative rehearsal is generally more effective for long-term
retention.
What are the two theories to explain why we forget information in short-term memory? - Answers Two
theories explaining short-term memory forgetting are interference theory, which suggests that new
information disrupts the old, and decay theory, proposing that memory traces fade with time and
disuse. Both theories highlight factors contributing to the limited duration of information in short-term
memory.
What is the difference between proactive and retroactive interference? Can I identify examples of each -
Answers Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information disrupts the recall of new
information, while retroactive interference happens when new information hinders the recall of
previously learned material. For example, in proactive interference, an old phone number interferes
with remembering a new one, while in retroactive interference, a recent password makes it harder to
recall an old one.
What is the serial position effect (e.g. primacy and recency effects)? How can STM and LTM explain
these findings? - Answers The serial position effect refers to the tendency to better remember the first
(primacy) and last (recency) items in a list. Short-term memory (STM) is associated with recency, as it
, holds the most recent items, while long-term memory (LTM) is linked to primacy, as it allows for the
encoding of earlier items, demonstrating how both memory systems contribute to these findings.
What are strengths and weaknesses of the modal model? - Answers Strengths of the modal model
include its simplicity and ability to explain memory processes clearly. However, it oversimplifies memory
and does not fully capture the complexity of how different memory systems interact and function.
How can we support information being encoding in LTM? - Answers To support information encoding in
long-term memory, use techniques like elaborative rehearsal, creating meaningful associations, and
employing mnemonic devices. Additionally, ensuring a proper balance of sleep, stress management, and
regular review can enhance the encoding process.
What is the spacing effect? - Answers The spacing effect is the phenomenon where information is better
retained when it is studied over multiple, spaced intervals rather than in a single, massed session. This
principle suggests that distributed practice is more effective for long-term memory retention compared
to cramming.
What is the levels-of-processing theory? - Answers The levels-of-processing theory suggests that the
depth at which information is processed during encoding determines its memorability. Information
processed at a deeper, more meaningful level is more likely to be stored in long-term memory than
information processed at a shallow, surface level.
What is the testing effect? - Answers The testing effect, also known as retrieval practice, is a learning
phenomenon where actively recalling information during the study process enhances long-term
retention. This effect demonstrates that the act of testing or self-assessment can significantly improve
memory compared to passive review.
How can we support information being retrieved from LTM? - Answers To support information retrieval
from long-term memory, use techniques like spaced repetition, self-testing, and practicing recall of the
material. Creating associations and context cues related to the information can also aid in successful
retrieval.
What is encoding specificity/context effects? - Answers Encoding specificity, or context effects, refers to
the phenomenon where memory retrieval is enhanced when the context during retrieval matches the
context during encoding. This highlights how the environment or situational cues can significantly
influence the successful retrieval of information from long-term memory.
What were the results from Godden and Baddeley (1975)? - Answers Godden and Baddeley's 1975 study
found that scuba divers who learned lists of words underwater performed better when recalling them
underwater compared to on land. This supports the concept of context-dependent memory and the idea
that retrieval is facilitated when the environmental context at recall matches the context at encoding.
10. What is working memory? How does it differ from STM? - Answers Working memory is a system that
temporarily holds and manipulates information for cognitive tasks. It differs from short-term memory
