Final answer:
Levels-of-processing theory suggests deeper information processing leads to more durable memory codes. Semantic processing, or focusing on meaning, is the most effective for long-term memory retention. This theory confirms that deep, meaningful processing aids in transferring information into long-term memory.The correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that proposes that deeper levels of processing result in longer-lasting memory codes is b) Levels-of-processing. This concept was introduced by psychologists Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving, who conducted experiments indicating that the semantic processing of words (i.e., focusing on the meaning of words) leads to better retention in episodic memory compared to shallower processing like visual or acoustic encoding. The Levels-of-processing theory contrasts shallow and deep processing, where deep processing involves elaborative rehearsal and is therefore more likely to be transferred into long-term memory.
According to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, memory consists of three stages: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory (LTM). For memory to transfer from short-term to long-term storage, it must be actively encoded through processes like rehearsal. This model suggests that the way we store memories is somewhat analogous to a computer's information processing.
Levels of processing is a key memory-enhancing strategy because it ensures that information is not only encoded but also meaningfully integrated with existing knowledge, increasing the likelihood of retrieval from long-term memory.