Hierarchy
Definition
Hierarchy refers to a system or structure in which elements are ranked or organized in order of importance or level. It involves arranging items, ideas, or concepts from highest to lowest based on their significance or priority.
Analogy
Imagine hierarchy as a pyramid-shaped food chain. At the top, you have the most important predator (e.g., lion), followed by intermediate predators (e.g., cheetah), and then smaller prey animals at the bottom. This hierarchical structure reflects the different levels of importance and influence within an ecosystem.
Related terms
Information Processing Model: A theoretical framework that explains how our brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information through stages like input, processing, storage, and output.
Mnemonic Devices: Techniques used to improve memory by creating associations or connections between new information and existing knowledge.
Schema Theory: The idea that our prior knowledge and experiences shape how we perceive, organize, and remember new information.
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.