PYC3703/203/3/2014
Tutorial Letter 203/3/2021
Cognition: Memory, Thinking and Problem
Solving
PYC3703
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Psychology
Feedback – Assignment 02
Bar code
, Dear Student
This tutorial letter gives feedback on Assignment 02. The appropriate option for each question is provided
below, and we also give a short explanation why the particular option is correct. Please note that COG
refers to the prescribed book, Sternberg and Sternberg (2012).
QUESTION 1
Short-term memory is distinguished from long-term memory by - - - - -.
(a) its capacity
(b) its retention duration
1. Only (a)
2. Only (b)
3. Neither ( a) nor (b)
4. Both (a) and (b)
Option 4 is correct. Short-term memory typically has a limited capacity, which George Miller estimated at 7
+ 2 items, whereas long-term memory has a very large capacity. Short-term memory also stores
information for a limited duration (i.e. less than a minute). To achieve longer retention one has use
strategies such as rehearsal and organisation or ‘chunking’.
QUESTION 2
According to the encoding specificity principle, memory recall is based on an interaction between - - - - -.
1. encoding and retrieval
2. motivation and mnemonic strategy
3. the level of processing and semantic memory
4. implicit memory and the temporal aspects of recall
Option 1 is correct. Endel Tulving theorised that there is a principle of ‘encoding specificity’ and that the
ease with which information can be retrieved is closely linked to the similarity between the encoding and
retrieval contexts. The principle states that the closer the match between the retrieval and encoding
contexts or situations, the easier the memory will be to retrieve. Conversely, the further apart or more
distinct these two contexts are, the more difficult it will be to retrieve the memory. The underlying
theoretical assumption is that the encoding context provides ‘cues’ (i.e. additional visual, auditory, smelling
or even tasting stimuli) that facilitate memory retrieval. In addition, that the more distinct the encoding and
retrieval contexts, the less cues are available, and hence the more difficult it becomes to access the
memory (COG, p. 265).
QUESTION 3
Which stage of sleep seems to be important for the process of consolidating memories?
1. Reconstructive stage of sleep
2. Constructive stage of sleep
3. Stage 4
4. REM sleep
Option 4 is correct. As shown in Table 6.1 in COG (p. 236), most of the dreaming occurs during Stage 5 of
the sleeping cycle (the rapid eye movement or REM stage). Current neuropsychological theory suggests
that the REM stage coincides with increased activity in the hippocampus which is important for memory
consolidation (COG, p. 237). Option 3 is incorrect because although Stage 4 is a very deep stage of sleep,
there is still not much dreaming (using brainwave activity as an indication of dreaming) during this stage.
Hence memory consolidation is less likely to occur during this stage than during Stage 5 (REM) when brain
wave activity increases.
2
Tutorial Letter 203/3/2021
Cognition: Memory, Thinking and Problem
Solving
PYC3703
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Psychology
Feedback – Assignment 02
Bar code
, Dear Student
This tutorial letter gives feedback on Assignment 02. The appropriate option for each question is provided
below, and we also give a short explanation why the particular option is correct. Please note that COG
refers to the prescribed book, Sternberg and Sternberg (2012).
QUESTION 1
Short-term memory is distinguished from long-term memory by - - - - -.
(a) its capacity
(b) its retention duration
1. Only (a)
2. Only (b)
3. Neither ( a) nor (b)
4. Both (a) and (b)
Option 4 is correct. Short-term memory typically has a limited capacity, which George Miller estimated at 7
+ 2 items, whereas long-term memory has a very large capacity. Short-term memory also stores
information for a limited duration (i.e. less than a minute). To achieve longer retention one has use
strategies such as rehearsal and organisation or ‘chunking’.
QUESTION 2
According to the encoding specificity principle, memory recall is based on an interaction between - - - - -.
1. encoding and retrieval
2. motivation and mnemonic strategy
3. the level of processing and semantic memory
4. implicit memory and the temporal aspects of recall
Option 1 is correct. Endel Tulving theorised that there is a principle of ‘encoding specificity’ and that the
ease with which information can be retrieved is closely linked to the similarity between the encoding and
retrieval contexts. The principle states that the closer the match between the retrieval and encoding
contexts or situations, the easier the memory will be to retrieve. Conversely, the further apart or more
distinct these two contexts are, the more difficult it will be to retrieve the memory. The underlying
theoretical assumption is that the encoding context provides ‘cues’ (i.e. additional visual, auditory, smelling
or even tasting stimuli) that facilitate memory retrieval. In addition, that the more distinct the encoding and
retrieval contexts, the less cues are available, and hence the more difficult it becomes to access the
memory (COG, p. 265).
QUESTION 3
Which stage of sleep seems to be important for the process of consolidating memories?
1. Reconstructive stage of sleep
2. Constructive stage of sleep
3. Stage 4
4. REM sleep
Option 4 is correct. As shown in Table 6.1 in COG (p. 236), most of the dreaming occurs during Stage 5 of
the sleeping cycle (the rapid eye movement or REM stage). Current neuropsychological theory suggests
that the REM stage coincides with increased activity in the hippocampus which is important for memory
consolidation (COG, p. 237). Option 3 is incorrect because although Stage 4 is a very deep stage of sleep,
there is still not much dreaming (using brainwave activity as an indication of dreaming) during this stage.
Hence memory consolidation is less likely to occur during this stage than during Stage 5 (REM) when brain
wave activity increases.
2
