Which term refers to the gradual improvement of memory retrieval through repeated use?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Get ready for the UCF PSY2012 General Psychology Exam. Practice with hints and explanations to improve your understanding. Master your exam preparation today!

The correct answer centers on the concept of long-term potentiation (LTP). Long-term potentiation is the process by which synaptic connections between neurons become stronger with repeated activation. This neurobiological mechanism is essential for learning and memory, as the repeated use of a memory pathway enhances the efficiency and speed of memory retrieval. Essentially, the more you engage with specific information, the more robust the neuronal connections associated with that information become, leading to improved retrieval abilities.

The other terms, while relevant to memory processes, do not encapsulate the idea of gradual improvement through repeated use in the same way. Long-term memory refers to the storage of information over extended periods, and memory consolidation describes the process of stabilizing a newly formed memory. Memory transformation does not typically describe a recognized process in memory retrieval improvement. Thus, long-term potentiation is the most accurate term in the context of enhanced memory retrieval through repetition.