Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What is a common method for measuring working memory capacity in psychological research?

1. Memory span tasks

2. Recognition tasks

3. Long-term memory tests

4. Behavioral observation

The correct answer is: Memory span tasks

Memory span tasks are a widely-used method for assessing working memory capacity. These tasks typically involve presenting a series of items, such as digits or letters, which participants are then required to recall in the same order they were presented. The length of the series is gradually increased until the participant can no longer accurately remember the entire sequence. This approach effectively measures the limits of working memory, as it quantifies how much information an individual can hold and manipulate in their mind at one time. In contrast, recognition tasks primarily assess recognition memory rather than working memory. These tasks usually involve determining whether a previously presented item is familiar or has been seen before. While important for understanding memory processes, they do not specifically evaluate the active manipulation of information associated with working memory. Long-term memory tests focus on recalling information stored over extended periods, which is distinct from the short-term and active processing characteristic of working memory. Behavioral observation is a more general method and does not specifically quantify working memory capacity; it may provide insights into behavior and cognitive functioning but lacks the precision needed for measuring working memory like memory span tasks do.