AP Psychology Practice Test

What describes the encoding of picture images?

1. Visual Encoding

2. Imagery

3. Echoic Memory

4. Chunking

The correct answer is: Visual Encoding

The correct answer is visual encoding, which specifically refers to the process of converting images and visual information into a format that can be stored in the memory. This involves taking in the visual elements and interpreting them in a way that enables us to remember and recall these images later. Visual encoding plays a critical role in the way we effectively learn and remember the details of our environment, contributing significantly to overall memory functions. Imagery, while related to the mental representation of things we see, is more about the mental pictures that we create and visualize rather than the actual process of encoding those pictures into memory. Echoic memory pertains to auditory information, dealing with sounds we've heard, and does not relate to pictures or visual information. Chunking is a strategy used to organize information into manageable units, which can help improve memory retention but is not specific to the encoding of visual information. Therefore, visual encoding is the most accurate term that captures the essence of encoding picture images in memory.