Question

Which statement is TRUE regarding chunking?

A. ​Chunking makes it easier to remember seven bits of information in short-term memory, but it does not actually increase the original number of bits of information that can be stored effectively. ​
B. Chunking can increase the efficiency of short-term memory, but as the size of the chunks increases, the number of chunks that can be stored effectively will decrease. ​
C. Chunking can increase the capacity of short-term memory to an average of 16 bits of information. ​
D. Chunking, if done effectively, can make the capacity of short-term memory virtually unlimited.

Answer 1

Answer: B. Chunking can increase the efficiency of short-term memory, but as the size of the chunks increases, the number of chunks that can be stored effectively will decrease.

Explanation: In other to aid retention of information in the short term memory, large piece of information may be broken down into smaller bits and then grouped together using related information or attributes before being stored. The essence breaking down informatiin before being regrouped is to establish relational information or similarity between the information to be stored in other to enhance retention and recall in the short term memory. However, the efficiency of information chunking reduces as the size of chunks increases.