Answer :
Final answer:
A college professor can operationally define memory by using production or recognition tests to assess encoding, storage, and retrieval processes, as well as measure working memory capacity, which can be indicative of students' memory performance.
Explanation:
A college professor wanting to measure memory in elementary students before a vocabulary quiz can operationally define memory by focusing on the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval of information, concepts critical in psychology and memory studies. She could use production tests (involving recall of words without prompts) or recognition tests (involving selection of previously learned words from a list containing both old and new words) to assess the students' memory capabilities. The recognition test is likely to yield better performance, as it is often easier for participants to recognize previously seen information than to recall it without cues. Furthermore, she could assess working memory capacity, which is highly predictive of reasoning skills and comprehension abilities. For example, giving students a list of words to remember and then testing their ability to recall or recognize these words after a distraction task, can effectively measure their working memory and overall memory performance.
