Short-Term Memory: Models, Capacity, and Duration

Question 1

The multi-store model of short-term memory suggests a three-component system. Which element is NOT part of this model?

Accepted Answer

Working memory

Answer

Sensory store

Answer

Short-term store

Answer

Long-term store

Question 2

The decay theory of short-term memory proposes that information is lost over time due to:

Accepted Answer

Physiological decay of neural traces

Answer

Active displacement by new information

Answer

Interference from competing memories

Answer

Retrieval failure

Question 3

In the context of short-term memory, priming refers to:

Accepted Answer

The facilitated recall of information due to prior exposure

Answer

The impaired recall of information due to interference from similar memories

Answer

The spontaneous retrieval of information without external cues

Answer

The active rehearsal of information to maintain it in memory

Question 4

According to the multi-store model of short-term memory, information is stored in which three separate stores?

Accepted Answer

Sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory

Answer

Immediate memory, working memory, and long-term memory

Answer

Iconic memory, echoic memory, and working memory

Answer

Short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory

Question 5

What is the approximate duration of information stored in short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

10-30 seconds

Answer

Less than 20 seconds

Answer

30-60 seconds

Answer

Several minutes

Question 6

What is the term for the temporary inability to access short-term memories due to the decay of neural connections?

Accepted Answer

Decay

Answer

Retrograde amnesia

Answer

Anterograde amnesia

Answer

Working memory failure

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of proactive interference in short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Learning new information that makes it harder to recall old information

Answer

Taking a break from studying to clear working memory

Answer

Paying attention to a distracting stimulus

Answer

Rehearsing information to improve recall

Question 8

Which of the following is a central tenet of the multi-store model of memory?

Accepted Answer

Information flows through three distinct memory stores: sensory, short-term, and long-term.

Answer

Short-term memory has an infinite capacity.

Answer

Long-term memory is susceptible to decay and forgetting.

Answer

The central executive is responsible for coordinating cognitive processes.

Question 9

According to the working memory model, which component is primarily responsible for actively manipulating and integrating information?

Accepted Answer

Central executive

Answer

Phonological loop

Answer

Visuospatial sketchpad

Answer

Episodic buffer

Question 10

Which type of information is primarily stored in the visuospatial sketchpad?

Accepted Answer

Visual and spatial information

Answer

Phonological information

Answer

Semantic information

Answer

Episodic information

Question 11

What is the primary function of the episodic buffer in the working memory model?

Accepted Answer

To temporarily store information from different sources.

Answer

To manipulate and transform information.

Answer

To retrieve information from long-term memory.

Answer

To coordinate attentional resources.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a component of the working memory model of short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Episodic buffer

Answer

Phonological loop

Answer

Central executive

Answer

Visuospatial sketchpad

Question 13

How do rehearsal, chunking, and interference affect the capacity and duration of short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Rehearsal enhances memories, chunking expands capacity, and interference shortens duration.

Answer

Rehearsal and chunking expand capacity, while interference shortens duration.

Answer

Rehearsal and interference reduce capacity, while chunking lengthens duration.

Answer

Rehearsal, chunking, and interference have no impact on capacity or duration.

Question 14

According to the multi-store model of memory, which of the following stores information for a limited duration?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory

Answer

Long-term memory

Answer

Sensory memory

Answer

Episodic memory

Question 15

Which component of the working memory model is responsible for coordinating the other components and allocating attention?

Accepted Answer

Central executive

Answer

Episodic buffer

Answer

Visuospatial sketchpad

Answer

Phonological loop

Question 16

What is the approximate span of the phonological loop in the working memory model?

Accepted Answer

7 ± 2 items

Answer

5 ± 1 items

Answer

9 ± 3 items

Question 17

Which technique can be used to enhance short-term memory capacity by grouping items into meaningful units?

Accepted Answer

Chunking

Answer

Spaced repetition

Answer

Retrieval practice

Answer

Mnemonic devices

Question 18

How does working memory differ primarily from long-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Working memory has limited capacity and duration, while long-term memory has a virtually unlimited capacity and duration.

Answer

Working memory stores procedural information, while long-term memory stores declarative information.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

It is responsible for the permanent storage of information.

Answer

It is vulnerable to decay and interference.

Answer

It has a limited capacity.

Question 20

What is the primary function of the episodic buffer in the working memory model?

Accepted Answer

To integrate information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad into a coherent episode.

Answer

To store information for long-term retrieval

Answer

To control attention and allocate resources

Question 21

Which of the following is a common method employed to measure the capacity of short-term memory?

Accepted Answer

Digit span test

Answer

Recognition task

Answer

Free recall task

Answer

Working memory assessment scale

Question 22

What is the significance of the phonological loop in the processing of language?

Accepted Answer

It temporarily stores and manipulates speech-based information.

Answer

It integrates information from different sensory modalities.

Answer

It provides a visual representation of spatial information.