PSYC 101 Module 7 Exam Prep 2026 | 200 Practice Questions
with Answers & Explanations | General Psychology Study
Guide
Section 1: Foundations of Memory (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the formal definition of memory in psychology?
A. The ability to pay attention during an event
B. The ability to retain knowledge
C. The ability to learn from environmental stimuli
D. The transformation of information from one form to another
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory is defined as the ability to retain knowledge over time through encoding, storage,
and retrieval processes. The other options describe attention, learning, and information processing,
respectively.
2. What are the three steps of the memory process?
A. Encoding, storage, retrieval
B. Encoding, retrieval, rehearsal
C. Storage, retrieval, forgetting
D. Attention, encoding, recall
Answer: A
Explanation: The three fundamental processes of memory are encoding (acquiring information), storage
(maintaining information over time), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed).
3. Encoding is the process of acquiring information and _____ it into memory.
A. recovering
,B. transferring
C. retrieving
D. salvaging
Answer: B
Explanation: Encoding involves the initial processing of information and transferring it into a form that
can be stored in memory. The other options refer to retrieval or non‑standard terms.
4. Like other adaptations, forming memories requires _____.
A. knowledge of the process
B. energy
C. skill
D. intelligence
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory formation is an active, energy‑consuming process that requires neural activity and
metabolic resources.
5. _____ refers to the process of acquiring information and transferring it into memory.
A. Storage
B. Retrieval
C. Information processing
D. Encoding
Answer: D
Explanation: Encoding is the first stage of memory processing, where sensory input is converted into a
form that can be stored in the brain.
6. _____ refers to the process of keeping information in the brain for future reconstruction.
A. Encoding
,B. Storage
C. Information processing
D. Retrieval
Answer: B
Explanation: Storage is the maintenance of encoded information over time, allowing it to be accessed
later.
7. _____ refers to the process of finding memories or reconstructing the details that make up a memory.
A. Storage
B. Information processing
C. Retrieval
D. Encoding
Answer: C
Explanation: Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information, often involving reconstruction
rather than perfect playback.
8. Two of the most common causes of retrieval failure are interference and _____.
A. sensations
B. semantics
C. stress
D. cues
Answer: C
Explanation: Stress can impair memory retrieval by affecting the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Interference (proactive/retroactive) is the other major cause.
9. What is the main evolutionary benefit of memory?
A. It allows us to relive past experiences
, B. It enables us to predict the future based on past experiences
C. It improves our ability to communicate
D. It increases intelligence
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory allows organisms to learn from past experiences and adapt future behavior,
enhancing survival and reproductive success.
10. Which type of memory is most directly affected by damage to the hippocampus?
A. Procedural memory
B. Working memory
C. Explicit (declarative) memory
D. Implicit memory
Answer: C
Explanation: The hippocampus is critical for forming new explicit (declarative) memories, including
episodic and semantic memories.
11. True or False: Short‑term memory has a limited capacity of approximately 7±2 items.
Answer: True
Explanation: George Miller’s classic research found that short‑term memory can hold about 7 chunks of
information (plus or minus 2).
12. Which memory system has the shortest duration of storage?
A. Long‑term memory
B. Working memory
C. Sensory memory
D. Semantic memory
Answer: C
with Answers & Explanations | General Psychology Study
Guide
Section 1: Foundations of Memory (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the formal definition of memory in psychology?
A. The ability to pay attention during an event
B. The ability to retain knowledge
C. The ability to learn from environmental stimuli
D. The transformation of information from one form to another
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory is defined as the ability to retain knowledge over time through encoding, storage,
and retrieval processes. The other options describe attention, learning, and information processing,
respectively.
2. What are the three steps of the memory process?
A. Encoding, storage, retrieval
B. Encoding, retrieval, rehearsal
C. Storage, retrieval, forgetting
D. Attention, encoding, recall
Answer: A
Explanation: The three fundamental processes of memory are encoding (acquiring information), storage
(maintaining information over time), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed).
3. Encoding is the process of acquiring information and _____ it into memory.
A. recovering
,B. transferring
C. retrieving
D. salvaging
Answer: B
Explanation: Encoding involves the initial processing of information and transferring it into a form that
can be stored in memory. The other options refer to retrieval or non‑standard terms.
4. Like other adaptations, forming memories requires _____.
A. knowledge of the process
B. energy
C. skill
D. intelligence
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory formation is an active, energy‑consuming process that requires neural activity and
metabolic resources.
5. _____ refers to the process of acquiring information and transferring it into memory.
A. Storage
B. Retrieval
C. Information processing
D. Encoding
Answer: D
Explanation: Encoding is the first stage of memory processing, where sensory input is converted into a
form that can be stored in the brain.
6. _____ refers to the process of keeping information in the brain for future reconstruction.
A. Encoding
,B. Storage
C. Information processing
D. Retrieval
Answer: B
Explanation: Storage is the maintenance of encoded information over time, allowing it to be accessed
later.
7. _____ refers to the process of finding memories or reconstructing the details that make up a memory.
A. Storage
B. Information processing
C. Retrieval
D. Encoding
Answer: C
Explanation: Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information, often involving reconstruction
rather than perfect playback.
8. Two of the most common causes of retrieval failure are interference and _____.
A. sensations
B. semantics
C. stress
D. cues
Answer: C
Explanation: Stress can impair memory retrieval by affecting the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Interference (proactive/retroactive) is the other major cause.
9. What is the main evolutionary benefit of memory?
A. It allows us to relive past experiences
, B. It enables us to predict the future based on past experiences
C. It improves our ability to communicate
D. It increases intelligence
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory allows organisms to learn from past experiences and adapt future behavior,
enhancing survival and reproductive success.
10. Which type of memory is most directly affected by damage to the hippocampus?
A. Procedural memory
B. Working memory
C. Explicit (declarative) memory
D. Implicit memory
Answer: C
Explanation: The hippocampus is critical for forming new explicit (declarative) memories, including
episodic and semantic memories.
11. True or False: Short‑term memory has a limited capacity of approximately 7±2 items.
Answer: True
Explanation: George Miller’s classic research found that short‑term memory can hold about 7 chunks of
information (plus or minus 2).
12. Which memory system has the shortest duration of storage?
A. Long‑term memory
B. Working memory
C. Sensory memory
D. Semantic memory
Answer: C
