What is the main idea of levels of processing theory?
A If you want to remember a piece of information, you should think about it more deeply and link it to other information and memories to make it more meaningful.
B Aerobic exercise promotes neurogenesis.
C Breaking large groups of information in to smaller portions increase memory.
D In order to remember information, you should build a web of retrieval cues to help you access material when you want to remember it.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is A: If you want to remember a piece of information, you should think about it more deeply and link it to other information and memories to make it more meaningful.
Explanation:
The levels of processing theory is a concept in cognitive psychology proposed by Fergus I. M. Craik and Robert S. Lockhart in 1972. According to this theory, memory retention is not merely based on how long information is rehearsed but, rather, how deeply it is processed during encoding (the process of entering information into memory). The idea is that information processed at a deeper level (involving more meaning and connections to existing knowledge) is more likely to be retained and recalled compared to information processed at a shallow level.
Here’s a deeper look at the levels of processing theory:
- Shallow Processing: This involves superficial encoding of information. For example, when you simply repeat a word or look at it briefly, you are engaging in shallow processing. This is often based on surface features like sound or appearance (e.g., remembering a word because it rhymes with another word or because of its visual characteristics). Shallow processing typically leads to short-term memory retention and makes it harder to recall the information over time.
- Deep Processing: On the other hand, deep processing involves thinking about the meaning of the information, associating it with other concepts, and linking it to previously stored memories or knowledge. This type of processing is more likely to lead to long-term memory storage. For instance, when you study for a test by relating new facts to concepts you already understand, you are engaging in deep processing, which strengthens your ability to remember the material.
In essence, the levels of processing theory highlights that the quality and depth of processing is more important than the quantity or amount of time spent memorizing. When you make connections and find meaning in the material, you increase the likelihood of remembering it later.
This theory is contrasted with earlier models of memory that suggested memory retention is directly tied to how long information is rehearsed. Instead, the levels of processing theory emphasizes how well the information is processed.