APA Cognitive Psychology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the capacity of short-term (working) memory according to Miller's classic research?
- 3 ± 1 chunks
- 5 ± 1 chunks
- 7 ± 2 chunks (Correct answer)
- 12 ± 2 chunks
Correct answer: 7 ± 2 chunks
Miller (1956) famously reported that short-term memory holds approximately 7 ± 2 chunks of information at one time.
Question 2: Which memory system stores general knowledge and facts about the world, independent of personal experience?
- Episodic memory
- Procedural memory
- Semantic memory (Correct answer)
- Working memory
Correct answer: Semantic memory
Semantic memory is the long-term memory system that stores conceptual knowledge, facts, and word meanings that are not tied to specific personal experiences.
Question 3: The 'availability heuristic' leads people to judge the likelihood of an event based on:
- Statistical base rates
- How easily examples come to mind (Correct answer)
- Logical analysis of probabilities
- Expert opinions
Correct answer: How easily examples come to mind
The availability heuristic (Tversky & Kahneman) is a mental shortcut where probability judgments are based on how readily examples can be recalled.
Question 4: Which term describes the inability to form new long-term memories after brain damage?
- Retrograde amnesia
- Anterograde amnesia (Correct answer)
- Proactive interference
- Source amnesia
Correct answer: Anterograde amnesia
Anterograde amnesia is the inability to encode and store new memories following the onset of amnesia, as famously illustrated by patient H.M.
Question 5: What is 'elaborative rehearsal' and why is it more effective than maintenance rehearsal?
- Repetition of information at intervals; effective because of spacing
- Connecting new information to existing knowledge; effective because it creates deeper encoding (Correct answer)
- Visualizing information; effective because of dual coding
- Repeating information aloud; effective because of auditory processing
Correct answer: Connecting new information to existing knowledge; effective because it creates deeper encoding
Elaborative rehearsal involves linking new material to existing memories and giving it meaning, creating a deeper level of processing that enhances long-term retention.
Question 6: In signal detection theory, what is a 'hit'?
- Correctly rejecting an absent stimulus
- Reporting a stimulus is present when it actually is absent
- Correctly detecting a stimulus that is actually present (Correct answer)
- Failing to detect a present stimulus
Correct answer: Correctly detecting a stimulus that is actually present
In signal detection theory, a 'hit' occurs when an observer correctly identifies the presence of a signal when the signal is actually present.
APA Cognitive Psychology 1
What is the capacity of short-term (working) memory according to Miller's classic research?