Which method is primarily used to assess Declarative Memory?

The method primarily used to assess Declarative Memory is paragraph memory. Declarative memory refers to the ability to remember facts and events, which includes both episodic memory (events and experiences) and semantic memory (facts and knowledge). When individuals engage in a task such as paragraph memory, they are typically asked to read and then recall information from a narrative or paragraph, which directly relates to their ability to recognize and remember verbal information—key components of declarative memory.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned focus on different types of memory. Procedural memory tasks are related to skills and actions rather than recalling facts or experiences. The pursuit rotor task assesses motor skills and coordination, which also aligns more with procedural memory. As for abstract designs, they might relate to visual-spatial memory but do not specifically target the factual recall that characterizes declarative memory. Thus, paragraph memory stands out as the most direct measure of this type of memory.