US High School Psychology Practice Exam

In the context of short-term memory, Mateo applies the technique of ________ to remember the food orders.

1. Rehearsal

2. Mnemonic devices

3. Chunking

4. Encoding

The correct answer is: Rehearsal

In the context of short-term memory, the technique that Mateo applies to remember the food orders is rehearsal. Rehearsal involves actively maintaining information in one's mind through repetition, which helps to keep it accessible for a short period. This is particularly useful in tasks such as remembering food orders, as it allows Mateo to continuously review the information until he needs to recall it, thereby extending the duration it remains in short-term memory. In contrast, mnemonic devices are strategies that aid in the retrieval and recall of information, often involving association techniques or acronyms, but they are more complex than simple repetition. Chunking refers to breaking down information into smaller, manageable pieces, which can enhance memory by organizing data but requires a specific structure rather than just repeating it. Encoding is the process of transforming information into a form that can be stored in memory, but the question focuses on the technique used to remember information rather than the initial transformation process. Therefore, rehearsal is the most direct and effective technique for Mateo's situation of recalling food orders.