Day 67 of 150 Memory Difficulty 3/10
Meaning-level encoding builds the strongest memories
Quick answer
Meaning-level encoding builds the strongest memories. Today's question (Levels of processing) asks about a finding from Craik, F. I. M., & Lockhart, R. S. in 1972. The correct option is Semantic encoding (e.g., judging whether a word fits a sentence) — full explanation, primary source, and glossary cross-links below.
Today's question
In Craik and Lockhart's framework, which type of encoding produces the strongest memory trace?
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct: C — Semantic encoding (e.g., judging whether a word fits a sentence)
Craik & Lockhart (1972) reframed memory not as a fixed set of stores but as a by-product of perceptual analysis. Their levels-of-processing framework predicts that 'deeper' encoding — extracting meaning, relating to existing knowledge — leaves more durable traces than 'shallow' surface analysis (font, sound). Craik & Tulving (1975) confirmed this by varying the orienting question while exposure time was held constant: semantic-judgement words were recognized about twice as well as case-judgement words. The framework reframed rehearsal: rote repetition (maintenance rehearsal) does little; elaborative rehearsal that links new material to meaning is what builds long-term memory.
About the source
Craik, F. I. M., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671–684.
Every Cognition Bible question cites a primary source — a paper, book chapter, or monograph that exists, that we can point to on Google Scholar, and whose finding the question accurately summarizes. No fabricated authority strings, no name-drops without paper-level grounding.
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