PN2002 cognitive Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
Two tasks that use same component of working memory _____________ be
performed successfully together. - Correct answer-CANNOT
If two tasks rely on different components of working memory they
______________ be performed together. - Correct answer-CAN
Which brain area is associated with the visual part of the visual-spatial sketchpad?
- Correct answer-ventral prefrontal cortex
Which brain area is associated with the spatial part of the visual-spatial sketchpad?
- Correct answer-dorsal prefrontal cortex
Define the Multi-Store Model. - Correct answer-Memory is stored in sensory, ST,
and LT memory, moving from left to right through that list depending on whether
the sensory is given attention, and subsequently if the ST is rehearsed.
Define the Unitary-store Model. - Correct answer-ST memory can be a
representation of something just recently perceived OR the temporary activation of
a LT memory.
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,What are the four components of the Working Memory Model? - Correct answer-
(1) the phonological loop, (2) visual spatial sketchpad, (3) episodic buffer, (4)
central executive.
Which three components of the WM model function independently? - Correct
answer-The phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad, and the central
executive. (I.e. everything except for the episodic buffer.)
Is working memory limited or unlimited (according to the WM model)? - Correct
answer-Limited.
Define the phonological loop and state its components and what each one does. -
Correct answer-A component of working memory that holds speech-based
information. Consists of the phonological store (aka inner ear --> stores speech),
and the articulatory control system (aka inner voice --> performs verbal rehearsal).
Define the visual-spatial sketchpad. State its components and what each one does. -
Correct answer-A component of working memory that temporarily stores spatial
and visual information. Consists of the visual cache (stores color and visual form
info) and the inner scribe (processes spatial/movement info and transfers info from
the visual cache to the central executive).
What is the phonological similarity effect and why does it happen? - Correct
answer-When a dissimilar sets of words is better recalled than a set of similar
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, words because there is a more distinct representation of the words in the dissimilar
set.
What is the word-length effect and why does it happen? - Correct answer-When
verbal memory span decreases as words get longer because shorter words are able
to be rehearsed faster (duration matters more than complexity for speed of
rehearsal).
Which brain area is the central executive correlated with? - Correct answer-The
prefrontal cortex
Which brain area is the episodic buffer correlated with? - Correct answer-The
hippocampus
What is the unitary process of the central executive? - Correct answer-The goal
orientation
Which component integrates new information with information stored in LT
memory? - Correct answer-The episodic buffer
What is the central executive? What are its three main functions? - Correct answer-
A component of working memory consisting of multiple processes which organise
and coordinate the functioning of the cognitive system to fulfill goals. Its three
main functions are inhibition, shifting, and updating.
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and Answers
Two tasks that use same component of working memory _____________ be
performed successfully together. - Correct answer-CANNOT
If two tasks rely on different components of working memory they
______________ be performed together. - Correct answer-CAN
Which brain area is associated with the visual part of the visual-spatial sketchpad?
- Correct answer-ventral prefrontal cortex
Which brain area is associated with the spatial part of the visual-spatial sketchpad?
- Correct answer-dorsal prefrontal cortex
Define the Multi-Store Model. - Correct answer-Memory is stored in sensory, ST,
and LT memory, moving from left to right through that list depending on whether
the sensory is given attention, and subsequently if the ST is rehearsed.
Define the Unitary-store Model. - Correct answer-ST memory can be a
representation of something just recently perceived OR the temporary activation of
a LT memory.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What are the four components of the Working Memory Model? - Correct answer-
(1) the phonological loop, (2) visual spatial sketchpad, (3) episodic buffer, (4)
central executive.
Which three components of the WM model function independently? - Correct
answer-The phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad, and the central
executive. (I.e. everything except for the episodic buffer.)
Is working memory limited or unlimited (according to the WM model)? - Correct
answer-Limited.
Define the phonological loop and state its components and what each one does. -
Correct answer-A component of working memory that holds speech-based
information. Consists of the phonological store (aka inner ear --> stores speech),
and the articulatory control system (aka inner voice --> performs verbal rehearsal).
Define the visual-spatial sketchpad. State its components and what each one does. -
Correct answer-A component of working memory that temporarily stores spatial
and visual information. Consists of the visual cache (stores color and visual form
info) and the inner scribe (processes spatial/movement info and transfers info from
the visual cache to the central executive).
What is the phonological similarity effect and why does it happen? - Correct
answer-When a dissimilar sets of words is better recalled than a set of similar
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, words because there is a more distinct representation of the words in the dissimilar
set.
What is the word-length effect and why does it happen? - Correct answer-When
verbal memory span decreases as words get longer because shorter words are able
to be rehearsed faster (duration matters more than complexity for speed of
rehearsal).
Which brain area is the central executive correlated with? - Correct answer-The
prefrontal cortex
Which brain area is the episodic buffer correlated with? - Correct answer-The
hippocampus
What is the unitary process of the central executive? - Correct answer-The goal
orientation
Which component integrates new information with information stored in LT
memory? - Correct answer-The episodic buffer
What is the central executive? What are its three main functions? - Correct answer-
A component of working memory consisting of multiple processes which organise
and coordinate the functioning of the cognitive system to fulfill goals. Its three
main functions are inhibition, shifting, and updating.
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