Question 13

Students remembered 'table' and 'planet' due to the serial position effect.

The serial position effect explains how items presented in a sequence are more likely to be remembered based on their position within that sequence. In this case, 'table' and 'planet' are likely recalled because they represent both the first and last items in the list, enhancing their memorability.

A) the limits of sensory memory

This option incorrectly suggests that the recall of 'table' and 'planet' is due to the brief retention of information in sensory memory, which is not applicable here. Sensory memory deals with the initial processing of stimuli, not the specific recall of items based on their position in a list.

B) the serial position effect

This option accurately describes why 'table' and 'planet' were remembered by the students. The serial position effect highlights that people tend to remember the first (primacy effect) and last items (recency effect) in a list more effectively than those in the middle.

C) levels of processing

While levels of processing theory focuses on the depth of understanding and encoding of information, it does not specifically address the phenomenon of recalling items based on their order. Therefore, this option does not explain why 'table' and 'planet' were particularly memorable in this context.

D) encoding specificity

Encoding specificity relates to how retrieval cues can aid memory recall, but it does not account for the influence of the position of items in a list. Thus, this option fails to explain the specific recall of 'table' and 'planet' as influenced by their positions.

Conclusion

The serial position effect is the definitive reason for the students' recall of 'table' and 'planet', linking their memorability to their positions as the first and last items in the list. Other options fail to address the specific mechanism of memory retention based on item sequence, making them less relevant to the question.