Final answer:
Performance on implicit versus explicit memory tests can vary depending on the task and context. Both implicit and explicit memory play distinct roles in cognitive tasks, with implicit memory relating to unconscious skills and explicit memory to conscious recall of facts and events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the performance of college students on implicit versus explicit memory tests. Implicit memory refers to long-term memories that operate unconsciously, such as riding a bicycle or procedural tasks, and has been associated with cognitive tasks that we perform automatically without conscious awareness. It can include skills such as playing a musical instrument or typing where people may find it hard to explicitly describe how these tasks are accomplished.
Explicit memory, on the other hand, is about memories that we can consciously recall and describe, such as facts, episodes, or events. This includes both episodic memory, which is about personal experiences and specific events, and semantic memory, which pertains to general knowledge about the world.
Regarding cognitive demand tasks studied in research, such as artificial grammars learning and word memory, both implicit and explicit memories can play a role. However, individual performance on such tasks can vary widely and depends on several factors. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that one type of memory inherently leads to better performance on memory tests than the other without considering the contexts and specific tasks involved.