Which of the following is an example of effortful processing? * The route one drives to work each day. Memorizing word pairs and writing down as many as you remember the following day. Noticing you’ve seen a particular classmate for the third time in a day. Recalling where on a textbook page a particular definition is. Encoding is best defined as which of the following? * The retention of information over time. The action of retrieving information from memory storage. The process of committing information into a specific memory system. Active repetition of information. After surgery to reduce the impact of epileptic seizures, H. M. suffered from _ amnesia, meaning that he was unable to __. * anterograde; recall long-term memories from the time prior to surgery anterograde; form new long-term memories after surgery retrograde; recall long-term memories from the time prior to surgery retrograde; form new long-term memories after surgery 1 point 1 point 1 point
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
. Effortful Processing Example
The correct answer is: Memorizing word pairs and writing down as many as you remember the following day.
Effortful processing refers to encoding information that requires conscious effort and attention. When you’re memorizing word pairs, you’re actively focusing and engaging with the material. This contrasts with automatic processing, where information is encoded without conscious effort, like the route you drive to work every day or recognizing a classmate you’ve seen multiple times. These tasks require little effort because they’re automatic or habitual. Memorizing word pairs involves effortful processing because you’re deliberately trying to retain specific information, often involving rehearsal and active recall.
2. Definition of Encoding
The correct answer is: The process of committing information into a specific memory system.
Encoding is the first step in memory formation, where information is transformed into a format that can be stored in the brain. This process occurs when we encounter new information and attempt to make sense of it, whether through visual, auditory, or semantic means. The other options are incorrect because:
- “Retention of information over time” refers to storage, not encoding.
- “Retrieving information from memory storage” refers to retrieval.
- “Active repetition of information” might be part of encoding (such as rehearsal) but does not fully define the process.
3. H. M.’s Amnesia
The correct answer is: Anterograde; form new long-term memories after surgery.
H.M. (Henry Molaison) had his hippocampus surgically removed to treat severe epilepsy, which led to anterograde amnesia. This means he was unable to form new long-term memories after the surgery, though he could still recall memories from before the surgery (retrograde amnesia). This is a classic case in cognitive psychology and is significant in understanding how the hippocampus is involved in forming new memories. People with anterograde amnesia have difficulty storing new memories but can recall old ones.
To summarize:
- Effortful processing involves conscious effort to encode information.
- Encoding is the process of converting information for storage in memory.
- H. M.’s amnesia was anterograde because he couldn’t form new memories after his surgery.
