Final answer:
The visuospatial sketch pad's function is best described as spatial awareness, vital for visualizing and navigating through space. Memory functions include encoding, storage, and retrieval, with semantic encoding often resulting in better memory of verbal information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of the visuospatial sketch pad is primarily concerned with the temporary storage and manipulation of spatial and visual information. Among the options provided, it is best described as (c) spatial awareness. This includes the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in our mind's eye, as well as navigating through space and understanding the spatial orientation of objects. The visuospatial sketch pad is one of the components of Baddeley and Hitch's model of working memory.
The three basic functions of memory are (d) encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is the process of getting information into our memory system, storage is the retention of this information, and retrieval is the act of getting the information out of storage and into conscious awareness. These processes pertain to how our memory works as a whole, encompassing different aspects of cognitive functioning and information processing.
Types of Encoding
There are different types of encoding in memory, including visual, acoustic, and semantic encoding. According to the experiments conducted by Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving, semantic processing, which is related to processing the meaning of words, could lead to better memory of verbal information compared to just processing the form of words (visual encoding) or the sound of words (acoustic encoding).