Study for the Arizona State University (ASU) PSY101 Introduction to Psychology Exam. Prepare with comprehensive materials, including flashcards and multiple choice questions. Get ready for your exam!

Chunking is a cognitive strategy that enhances memory retention by organizing individual pieces of information into larger, more manageable units. This process occurs because our short-term memory has a limited capacity, often cited as being able to hold approximately seven items at a time. By grouping information into meaningful segments, we can effectively increase the amount of data we can remember.

For example, instead of trying to remember the sequence of numbers 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2, you could chunk them into 141, 592, making it easier to recall. This method relies on existing knowledge structures and associations in the brain, allowing for more efficient storage and retrieval.

This approach is widely used in various contexts, from studying for exams to simplifying complex information in day-to-day scenarios. Thus, it plays a crucial role in enhancing learning and memory processes.

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