Final answer:
The levels of processing theory was put forward as a criticism of the shallow processing approach in memory research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The levels of processing theory was put forward as a criticism of the shallow processing approach in memory research. It challenged the idea that memory is determined by the depth of processing and argued instead that memory is influenced by how information is encoded and processed.
According to the levels of processing theory, memory is better when information is processed at a deeper level that involves a meaningful understanding and connections to prior knowledge. It suggests that deep processing, such as making associations, elaborating on the information, and relating it to personal experiences, leads to better memory retention than shallow processing, which focuses on superficial features of the information.
This theory was proposed by Craik and Lockhart in 1972 and provided an alternative perspective on memory processes in contrast to the earlier structuralist theory of memory.