Final answer:
To distinguish if 'force' rhymes with 'course', acoustic encoding is used, which is less 'deep' compared to semantic encoding that processes the meaning of words and generally results in better memory retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you were to ask whether the word 'force' rhymed with the word 'course', to make this distinction you would have to use acoustic encoding, a method of processing that is considered to be less 'deep' than/as semantic encoding. Acoustic encoding involves the processing of sounds, particularly the way words sound when spoken. An example of this in daily life is when you recall a song's lyrics that you haven't heard in years or using rhymes to remember the number of days in each month.
Semantic encoding, on the other hand, involves a much deeper level of processing because it is concerned with the meaning of words, which leads to better retention. When it comes to encoding verbal information, it has been shown by psychologists Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving that semantic encoding is more effective for long-term memory retention. This is due to the self-reference effect, where individuals tend to remember information that is personally relevant to them more effectively.
Compared to semantic and visual encoding, acoustic encoding might not create as strong of a memory trace, but it is highly useful in learning through songs, rhymes, and rhythms, where the sound of the information helps in the memorization process.