Question

When you get a phone number from information, it is usually easy to remember the number, but hard to remember the area code as well. That's because the phone number with the area code generally exceeds the average capacity of _____ memory.

Answer 1

A phone number with the area code often exceeds the capacity of short-term memory, which is about 4 ± 1 items. Techniques like chunking and elaborative rehearsal can aid memory retention by organizing information and linking it to existing knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you receive a phone number from information and the combination of number and area code generally exceeds the average capacity of short-term memory. Contemporary research suggests that this capacity is about 4 ± 1 items, differing from George Miller's initial theory of 'magic number' 7 ± 2. As a result, people usually find it hard to remember the area code because it increases the quantity of information beyond what the short-term memory can comfortably hold.

To enhance memory retention, one can apply techniques such as chunking, whereby information is grouped into manageable units, making it easier to remember. Another method is elaborative rehearsal, which not only involves repetition of the information but also connecting it to pre-existing knowledge, thereby moving it from short-term to long-term memory.