Final answer:
Memory enhancement due to repetition priming occurs when the test stimulus is associated with a prior exposure, leveraging the familiarity from previous encounters to improve the accuracy and processing speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Memory enhancement due to repetition priming is a result of the test stimulus being associated with a prior exposure. This form of memory enhancement leverages the familiarity developed from previous encounters with a stimulus to improve the processing speed and accuracy of that stimulus when it's encountered again. For example, having seen the word "picnic" in association with positive memories may make it easier to recognize or recall in a list of words or when unscrambling letters. This improvement in memory recall or recognition due to previous exposure is why, in a memory test, a repeated item is often processed more quickly and accurately than a new item.
One might also consider the role of synaptic plasticity, as described by Nabavi et al., which explains how our brains adapt to create and strengthen memories through exposure and repetition. Furthermore, the use of elaborative rehearsal as a study technique also highlights the importance of linking new information to existing knowledge and repeatedly reviewing the information to enhance memory retention.
Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is B) associated with a prior exposure.