Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

In cognitive psychology, what does the term “chunking” refer to in relation to working memory?

1. The process of elaborating information

2. The method of grouping items into larger units for easier retention

3. The retrieval of information from long-term memory

4. The encoding of sensory input into working memory

The correct answer is: The method of grouping items into larger units for easier retention

Chunking refers specifically to the method of grouping individual pieces of information into larger, more manageable units or "chunks" to enhance memory retention and retrieval. This technique capitalizes on the limited capacity of working memory, which can typically hold only a certain amount of information at a time. By organizing data into chunks, individuals can effectively increase the amount of information they can remember and process at once. For example, when trying to remember a long string of numbers, like 149217761941, a person might chunk this into groups, such as 1492, 1776, and 1941. Each of these groups represents a significant historical year, making them easier to recall than the entire sequence of numbers. Other options describe different cognitive processes. While elaborating information relates to deep processing and is beneficial for long-term memory, it does not specifically represent chunking. Similarly, the retrieval of information from long-term memory and the encoding of sensory input into working memory focus on different aspects of memory function rather than the specific strategy of chunking. Thus, the choice highlighting the grouping of items into larger units encapsulates the primary essence of chunking in working memory.