Question

189. Which of the following statements best explains one major difference

between short-term memory and long-term memory?
(A) Long-term memory is unlimited in capacity while short-term memory
is not.
(B) Long-term memory holds only episodic memories while short-term
memory does not.
(C) Long-term memory varies a great deal from one person to another,
while short-term memory does not.
(D) In terms of processing, long-term memory comes directly after
sensory memory while short-term memory does not.
(E) Long-term memory depends on neural connections in the limbic
system while short-term memory does not.

Answer 1

The main difference between short-term memory and long-term memory is that long-term memory has unlimited capacity, whereas short-term memory does not. Short-term memory is localized to the prefrontal lobe with limited capacity, while long-term memory includes unlimited storage and requires the hippocampus for episodic memories. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to identify one major difference between short-term memory and long-term memory. The correct answer is (A): Long-term memory is unlimited in capacity while short-term memory is not.

Short-term memory, also known as working or active memory, is localized to the prefrontal lobe and has a limited storage system that processes incoming sensory memory.

In contrast, long-term memory, which involves both explicit and implicit memory, has an unlimited capacity and is stored across various parts of the brain, including the hippocampus for episodic memories. It is a continuous storage of information that goes beyond a few minutes ago. The correct option is A.