Theories of Memory: MCQ Test on Encoding, Storage and Retrieval
Questions: 30
Questions
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1. What does "encoding" refer to in the memory process?
- a) Storing information in the brain
- b) Retrieving stored information
- c) The process of converting sensory input into a form that can be stored in memory
- d) The act of forgetting information
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2. Which of the following best describes "short-term memory"?
- a) Information stored for an indefinite period of time
- b) Information held briefly for processing and immediate use
- c) Information stored without active processing
- d) Information that is encoded into long-term memory
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3. Which of the following is NOT a method of improving memory encoding?
- a) Rehearsal
- b) Chunking
- c) Visualization
- d) Forgetting
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4. The "Levels of Processing" theory suggests that:
- a) Memory retrieval is always automatic
- b) Deeper levels of processing result in better memory retention
- c) Memory is simply a passive storage process
- d) Memory is influenced by the structure of sentences
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5. What is the capacity of short-term memory according to Miller's "Magic Number"?
- a) 3 items
- b) 5-9 items
- c) 15-20 items
- d) 20-30 items
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6. The "Multi-Store Model of Memory" was proposed by which psychologist?
- a) Sigmund Freud
- b) Carl Rogers
- c) Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin
- d) Hermann Ebbinghaus
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7. Which of the following is an example of "semantic encoding"?
- a) Remembering a phone number by repeating it
- b) Remembering the meaning of a word
- c) Remembering a visual image
- d) Remembering a song by listening to it
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8. Which of the following best describes the "Working Memory" model?
- a) A storage system that only stores visual images
- b) A temporary storage system for information currently being processed
- c) A method of transferring information into long-term memory
- d) A theory that suggests information is encoded directly into long-term memory
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9. "Maintenance rehearsal" is primarily used for:
- a) Storing information in long-term memory
- b) Transferring information from short-term to long-term memory
- c) Keeping information in short-term memory
- d) Understanding complex concepts
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10. The "Serial Position Effect" refers to:
- a) The tendency to remember the beginning and end of a list better than the middle
- b) The tendency to recall only recent information
- c) The tendency to forget the beginning and end of a list
- d) The tendency to forget middle items in a list
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11. "Elaborative rehearsal" involves:
- a) Repeating information over and over
- b) Creating meaningful associations with the information
- c) Simply visualizing the information
- d) Forgetting irrelevant details
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12. "Implicit memory" refers to:
- a) Memory of facts and events
- b) Memory that does not require conscious recall
- c) Memory of skills and procedures
- d) Memory that can be verbally expressed
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13. Which of the following is an example of "procedural memory"?
- a) Remembering your first day of school
- b) Remembering how to ride a bike
- c) Remembering historical facts
- d) Remembering a phone number
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14. The "Encoding Specificity Principle" suggests that:
- a) Memory retrieval is more effective when the context at encoding matches the context at retrieval
- b) Memory is best retained when stored visually
- c) Memory can only be retrieved with direct rehearsal
- d) Memory is not affected by the environment
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15. "The Brown-Peterson Task" is used to measure:
- a) Long-term memory
- b) The duration of short-term memory
- c) The impact of emotional memory
- d) The encoding process in memory
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16. "Primacy effect" refers to:
- a) The tendency to better recall the middle items of a list
- b) The tendency to better recall the first items of a list
- c) The tendency to better recall the last items of a list
- d) The tendency to forget the first items of a list
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17. "Retrieval failure" occurs when:
- a) Information is never encoded properly
- b) There is a lack of effective cues to retrieve stored information
- c) Information is only stored in short-term memory
- d) There is no rehearsal involved
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18. The "Dual Coding Theory" suggests that:
- a) Visual and verbal information are processed separately in the brain
- b) Information is better remembered when encoded both visually and verbally
- c) Only verbal information is stored in long-term memory
- d) Only visual information is important in encoding
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19. The "Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve" demonstrates that:
- a) Information is typically forgotten at a consistent rate over time
- b) Information is usually retained indefinitely without practice
- c) Memory recall improves over time without rehearsal
- d) Memory declines most rapidly right after learning
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20. "Long-term potentiation" refers to:
- a) The strengthening of synapses based on repeated stimulation
- b) The process of retrieving memories
- c) The process of transferring information from sensory to short-term memory
- d) The process of forgetting irrelevant information
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21. Which of the following is an example of "episodic memory"?
- a) Recalling the capital of France
- b) Remembering the first time you rode a bike
- c) Remembering how to play an instrument
- d) Recalling the alphabet
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22. The process of encoding sensory input into a meaningful representation is known as:
- a) Encoding specificity
- b) Semantic encoding
- c) Imagery encoding
- d) Visual encoding
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23. The "Central Executive" in the working memory model is responsible for:
- a) Managing visual and auditory information
- b) Storing information for later use
- c) Overseeing cognitive processes such as attention and problem-solving
- d) Acting as a passive storage system
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24. The "Transfer-Appropriate Processing" theory suggests that:
- a) Memory retrieval is most efficient when the type of encoding matches the type of retrieval
- b) Memory retrieval is unaffected by the type of encoding
- c) Encoding occurs automatically based on the context
- d) Only verbal encoding leads to efficient memory retrieval
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25. Which of the following is a limitation of the Multi-Store Model of Memory?
- a) It overemphasizes the role of attention in memory
- b) It does not account for the interaction between short-term and long-term memory
- c) It suggests that all memory processes are unconscious
- d) It does not explain how information is processed over time
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26. The "dual-task interference" effect suggests that:
- a) The brain can handle two tasks at once without any interference
- b) Performing two tasks simultaneously can lead to cognitive overload
- c) Performing two tasks can improve memory
- d) Memory improves when the tasks are unrelated
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27. "Proactive interference" refers to:
- a) New information interfering with the recall of old information
- b) Old information interfering with the recall of new information
- c) Information becoming more easily retrievable over time
- d) Forgetting irrelevant information automatically
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28. The "Reconstructive Memory" theory suggests that:
- a) Memories are like static snapshots of past events
- b) Memories can be reconstructed and altered over time
- c) Memory retrieval is always accurate and reliable
- d) Memory is unaffected by external influences
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29. The "Semantic Network Theory" suggests that:
- a) Memories are stored as interconnected concepts in the brain
- b) Memories are stored in isolated memory traces
- c) Memory retrieval depends on the context in which it was learned
- d) Memory retrieval is a passive process
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30. "Retroactive interference" occurs when:
- a) New learning disrupts the recall of previously learned information
- b) New information is stored more efficiently in long-term memory
- c) Information is retained in memory indefinitely without rehearsal
- d) Old information makes it difficult to learn new information
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