Consolidation theory explains which of the following?

Concept

Memory consolidation is the psychological process by which a newly formed, initially fragile memory trace is stabilised over time and converted into a durable, long-term representation. It works through two linked mechanisms: synaptic consolidation (strengthening of synaptic connections within minutes to hours) and systems consolidation (gradual reorganisation and transfer of the memory trace from the hippocampus to the neocortex over days to years).

Application

The stem asks which broader psychological process consolidation theory is built to explain. Since the entire subject matter of the theory is what happens to a memory trace once it has already been formed — how it becomes stable and resistant to loss or interference — the process the theory explains is memory, specifically memory retention and long-term storage.

Cross-check

• Learning is the initial acquisition of new knowledge, behaviour, or skill through experience, instruction, or practice; it is the encoding stage that precedes consolidation, not the stabilisation stage the theory addresses.

• Motivation is the set of internal drives and external incentives that energise and direct behaviour; it explains why a person engages in a task, not how already-learned information is retained afterward.

• Creativity is the ability to generate novel, original, and useful ideas or solutions; it concerns producing something new, not stabilising and storing information that has already been learned.

Because consolidation theory addresses the stabilisation and long-term storage of information that has already been acquired, the theory explains memory. This matches the officially released UPTET 2017 Paper 2 answer key.