Which type of judgment is most likely to enhance memory retention?

Self-reference judgments are particularly effective in enhancing memory retention because they involve relating new information to oneself, which fosters deeper encoding and personal relevance. When individuals assess how information connects to their own experiences, feelings, and beliefs, it creates a rich context for memory formation. This personal connection activates various cognitive processes that strengthen the neural encoding of that information.

Research in cognitive psychology has consistently shown that when people reflect on how new material relates to their own lives, they are more likely to remember it later, a phenomenon often referred to as the self-reference effect. Additionally, this type of judgment often entails semantic processing, which is deeper than superficial or surface-level processing, further promoting retention.

In contrast, logical reasoning judgments may help in understanding and analyzing information but do not necessarily make that information personally relevant. Visual judgments can enhance memory to some degree, particularly if the visual information is striking or vivid, but they lack the profound personal connection that self-referencing brings. Abstract reasoning judgments, while valuable in certain contexts, often engage a more detached form of processing that does not facilitate personal relevance or encoding as effectively as self-reference judgments do.