Many psychologists propose that learning often involves elaboration. Explain what they mean by the term elaboration, and give a concrete example to illustrate it. Then explain: a. Why educational psychologists recommend that students elaborate as much as possible b. Why different people often elaborate on the same information differently c. Why elaboration sometimes leads to the storage of

Question

inaccurate information

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Elaboration involves embellishing on (e.g., modifying or adding to) new information using what one already knows. The response should illustrate the process with a concrete example in which a learner is clearly going beyond the information given.
a. Elaboration usually promotes more effective memory of the information over the long run (e.g., better students elaborate more frequently). Also, multiple elaborations promote multiple connections in long-term memory, thereby facilitating retrieval at a later time. (The response needs to include only one of these explanations.)
b. Each person brings a unique knowledge base to new information and therefore makes unique connections with the information.
c. People may reinterpret new information in light of misconceptions they have.