All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Cognition
Which of these most accurately describes the difference between iconic and echoic memory?
Iconic memory is short-term; echoic memory is long-term
Iconic memory can be improved with selective attention; echoic memory cannot
Iconic memory deals with sensory information; echoic memory deals with factual information
Iconic memory deals with factual information; echoic memory deals with sensory information
Iconic memory is visual; echonic memory is auditory
Iconic memory is visual; echonic memory is auditory
Iconic and echoic memory are two forms of sensory memory, which momentarily stores information from our senses before it is encoded in short-term memory. Iconic memory is the storage of what we see, while echoic memory is the storage of what we hear. Both of these functions can be improved with selective attention.
Example Question #1 : Cognition
Which of these is an example of a type of implicit memory?
Semantic
None of these
Episodic
Procedural
Autobiographical
Procedural
Implicit memory refers to memories that do not rely upon conscious recall activities. Procedural memory is the type of memory that we use to do everyday tasks like tying our shoes or riding a bike. These activities do not require our conscious awareness of our previous attempts.
Example Question #1 : Memory
Which of the following is an example of explicit memory?
Procedural memory
Classical conditioning
Familiarity
Priming
Semantic memory
Semantic memory
Explicit memory refers to memories that can be consciously recalled. Semantic memory is memory about facts, like that Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. The other types of memory listed are types of implicit memory, which cannot be explicitly recalled.
Example Question #2 : Cognition
How long do short-term memories last?
10-15 seconds
10-30 seconds
1-2 minutes
3-5 minutes
10-30 seconds
Short-term memories are stored differently than long-term memories. Short-term memories generally include quick observations, and are only stored for 10-30 seconds. Short-term memories must be processed and stored as long-term memory in order to be accessible for any longer period of time.
Example Question #4 : Memory
What is mood-congruent memory?
Mood-congruent memory involves how emotions filter what we are experiencing around us, affecting what we will remember later. For example, if we are happy, we are most likely to remember positive things about that particular time.
Mood-congruent memory is when we feel a specific emotion, which triggers the accessibility of memories during which we felt the same way.
Mood-congruent memory is when negative feelings impede us from storing long-term memories.
Mood-congruent memory is when our ability to remember is diminished when we experience intense emotions, which could be either positive or negative in nature.
Mood-congruent memory is when we feel a specific emotion, which triggers the accessibility of memories during which we felt the same way.
Mood-congruent memory is when we feel a certain emotion, and then are able to access memories during which we felt similarly. For instance, if we are feeling frustrated in an intimate relationship we are more likely to remember another event during which we felt that same way.
Example Question #3 : Cognition
How long is information stored in our short-term memory?
30 seconds
30 minutes
5 seconds
5 minutes
24 hours
30 seconds
Information only remains in our short-term memory for about 30 seconds. At the end of this time, this information is either forgotten or transferred to long-term memory.
Example Question #2 : Cognition
Which of the following is a mnenomic strategy?
Chunking
Conditioning
Heeding
Learning
Clustering
Chunking
Mnemonic devices are memory aids that seek to improve recall of information. Chunking is a popular memory aid that involves organizing items into familiar, manageable units.
Example Question #4 : Memory
According to George Miller, about how many items can we store in short-term memory?
Three, plus or minus one
Ten, plus or minus three
Seven, plus or minus two
Nine, plus or minus two
Five, plus or minus one
Seven, plus or minus two
Influential cognitive psychologist, George Miller, conducted a series of experiments in which it seemed that there is a "magical number seven," meaning that we can usually hold about seven items in our short-term memory at once. This has been supported by many studies, but also disputed among cognitive psychologists.
Example Question #6 : Cognition
Which of the following events may be considered an episodic memory?
Tying a shoelace
A series of words in a language you don't know, but have memorized through repetition
The dates of important battles in World War II
Mnemonic devices
Hiking with your parents in Sedona when you were twelve
Hiking with your parents in Sedona when you were twelve
An episodic memory is a recollection of specific events, usually one's personal experiences. Remembering specific details is an example of semantic memory. Learning a skill, like tying a shoelace, is procedural memory. Mnemonic devices are a tool for remembering detailed information. Remembering words one doesn't understand through repetition is a prime example of rote memorization.
Example Question #9 : Memory
The saying "you never forget how to ride a bike" describes the persistence of which type of memory?
procedural
explicit
semantic
priming
episodic
procedural
Riding a bike is a type of procedural memory, the memory of a participating in a physical or cognitive process. Procedural memories are implicit (implied) rather than explicit (conscious).
Episodic memory is the memory for events in one's life (your 10th grade birthday party), and semantic memory is the memory for facts and knowledge (the first US president).
Priming is not a type of memory at all, but rather a method of affecting implicit memories in which exposure to one stimulus affects subsequent exposure to another stimulus. An example of priming might be that exposing someone to the word "rocket scientist" before taking a science test might make them get a higher score.