Cognitive Psychology Flashcards
6 cards from real APA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Cognitive Psychology flashcards as text
What is the capacity of short-term (working) memory according to Miller's classic research?
Answer: 7 ± 2 chunks
Miller (1956) famously reported that short-term memory holds approximately 7 ± 2 chunks of information at one time.
Which memory system stores general knowledge and facts about the world, independent of personal experience?
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.
The 'availability heuristic' leads people to judge the likelihood of an event based on:
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.
Which term describes the inability to form new long-term memories after brain damage?
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.
What is 'elaborative rehearsal' and why is it more effective than maintenance rehearsal?
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.
In signal detection theory, what is a 'hit'?
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.