Psychology2016

Psychology in Action PIA- 15

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. Which category is the following question an example of? True or
   False: Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes.
   a. factual question
   b. conceptual question
   c. applied question
   d. critical question


2. Which questions are the highest level of analysis and often consid-
   ered the hardest to answer on a test?
   a. factual c. conceptual
   b. applied d. true/false


3. Tom is studying for his first psychology exam. What should he do to
   ensure he remembers all that he has studied?
   a. Wait to study until just before the scheduled exam, so that the
   information will be fresh in his mind.
   b. Study all night long before the exam—he can sleep after the test.
   c. Memorize as much of the information as possible.
   d. Begin studying many days in advance to give his brain time to
   commit the material to memory and repeatedly test his retrieval
   of information.
   4. What is the value of retrieval practice?
   a. It helps increase long-term learning.
   b. It allows students more opportunities to study.
   c. It assists only in preparing for essay-based exams.
   d. No research exists to prove that retrieval practice is effective.
   5. Simply spitting information back out on a test is likely more indic-
   ative of __, while truly understanding information is
   more indicative of actual ____.
   a. memorization; learning
   b. learning; memorization
   c. behavior; action
   d. a process; a gift

Improving Your Memory

PIA.6 Explain how using mnemonics can help you improve your memory
for facts and concepts.

Everyone needs a little memory help now and then. Even memory experts use strat-
egies to help them perform their unusual feats of remembering. These strategies may
be unique to that individual, but there are many memory “tricks” that are quite simple
and available for anyone to learn and use. A memory trick or strategy to help peo-
ple remember is called a mnemonic, from the Greek word for memory. Take a look at
Figure PIA. 1 to see examples of a few of the more popular mnemonics, some of which
may sound familiar:

• Linking. Make a list in which items to be remembered are linked in some way. If
  trying to remember a list of the planets in the solar system, for example, a person

Figure PIA.1 Popular Mnemonics

Interactive

mnemonic

a strategy or trick for aiding memory.