Barney used to live in Pittsburgh, and his telephone number started with the area code 412. Now he has moved to Baltimore, and his new telephone number has an area code of 410. Barney remembers his new area code by connecting it to the old one and just “subtracting two.” This is an example of __ rehearsal.
Question 38 options:
maintenance
massed
mnemonic
elaborative
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Elaborative Rehearsal
Explanation:
The scenario described in the question is an example of elaborative rehearsal. This is a cognitive strategy used to improve memory by linking new information to existing knowledge or creating meaningful connections. In this case, Barney is trying to remember his new telephone area code (410) by connecting it with his old area code (412) and mentally noting that the difference is just “subtracting two.” This kind of reasoning helps him store the new information in a more meaningful way, making it easier to recall.
Elaborative rehearsal goes beyond simple repetition (like maintenance rehearsal) by integrating new information with prior knowledge, associations, or logical reasoning. This process is a deeper level of encoding, which significantly increases the likelihood that the information will be stored in long-term memory. In Barney’s case, rather than just memorizing the number 410 through repetition, he thinks about the relationship between 410 and 412, thus enriching the memory with context and logic.
Let’s break down the other options to understand why they are incorrect:
- Maintenance rehearsal involves rote repetition of information without attaching meaning—like repeating a phone number over and over. Barney is not simply repeating 410; he is linking it logically to 412, making this more than maintenance rehearsal.
- Massed rehearsal refers to cramming or intensive study sessions done in a short time without breaks. This concept is more applicable to study habits rather than how Barney is encoding his new phone number.
- Mnemonic devices are memory aids that often use patterns, phrases, acronyms, or imagery. While Barney is making a logical connection, he’s not using a specific mnemonic device like an acronym or rhyme.
Therefore, elaborative rehearsal is the most accurate description of the memory technique Barney is using. He is making a meaningful connection between old and new information to aid his memory.