Which of the following states a characteristic of skilled memory theory?

Skilled memory theory emphasizes that meaningful encoding is critical for enhancing memory performance. This approach suggests that individuals can improve their memory by encoding information in a way that makes it personally relevant or easier to understand. By associating new information with existing knowledge or structuring it in a meaningful manner, memory retention and retrieval become significantly more effective.

This perspective underscores the importance of cognitive strategies such as chunking, grouping, or creating associations that enable the brain to process and recall information more efficiently. Such techniques are intrinsic to the practice of memory experts, who often train themselves to use these methods deliberately, leading to exceptional recall abilities.

The other options do not align with the principles of skilled memory theory. For instance, innate ability alone does not account for the training and strategy that skilled memory practitioners use to improve their recollection. Similarly, the notion that exceptional memory solely arises from short-term memory storage overlooks the processes by which long-term memories are formed and accessed. Finally, the idea that practice makes memory inefficient contradicts the findings of skilled memory research, which strongly supports that consistent practice and the application of effective encoding strategies enhance rather than hinder memory capacity.