US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Chunking involves which of the following?

1. Storing large amounts of data

2. Reorganizing information into smaller meaningful units

3. Repetition of information

4. Forgetting unnecessary information

The correct answer is: Reorganizing information into smaller meaningful units

Chunking is a cognitive strategy that enhances memory by reorganizing information into smaller, manageable units or "chunks." This technique is particularly useful because it allows individuals to process and remember larger sets of data more effectively. For instance, breaking down a phone number into segments rather than trying to remember a long string of digits can make it significantly easier to recall. The essence of chunking lies in its ability to group related items together, helping to create associations and improving retrieval success. This strategy capitalizes on the brain's natural tendency to organize and categorize information, thus facilitating easier memorization and recall. The other options do not accurately encapsulate the concept of chunking. While storing large amounts of data and repetition can play roles in memory enhancement, they do not define chunking itself. Forgetting unnecessary information pertains to memory processes but is not related to the organization of information into meaningful units, which is the crux of chunking.