AAMC FL Practice Exam

What are the mental associations that help in the retrieval of memories called?

1. Recall cues

2. Culture shock

3. Cultural transmission

4. Socioeconomic gradient in health

The correct answer is: Recall cues

The mental associations that facilitate the retrieval of memories are referred to as recall cues. These cues can take various forms—such as sensory stimuli, thoughts, or contextual information—that trigger the recollection of specific memories. Recall cues play a crucial role in memory recall because they help link new information to existing memories, making it easier to retrieve the desired information when needed. For example, the smell of cookies baking might bring back memories of childhood experiences in the kitchen with a family member. This connection between the sensory cue (the smell) and the associated memory demonstrates how recall cues operate. The other options do not pertain to the concept of memory retrieval. Culture shock refers to the feelings of disorientation that occur when individuals encounter a culture significantly different from their own. Cultural transmission involves the way in which culture is passed from one generation to another. The socioeconomic gradient in health refers to the relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes, emphasizing how lower status often correlates with poorer health. These concepts are not connected to the mechanisms of memory retrieval.