Introductory Psychology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is the difference between short-term and long-term memory?

1. Short-term memory holds information for a brief period of time while long-term memory holds information for an extended period of time

2. Short-term memory holds information in a permanent state while long-term memory retains information in an impermanent state

3. Short-term memory is used to process information while long-term memory is used to store information

4. Short-term memory is used to contextualize information while long-term memory is used to internalize information

The correct answer is: Short-term memory is used to process information while long-term memory is used to store information

Short-term memory and long-term memory both involve the processing and storing of information. However, short-term memory is responsible for holding and processing information for a brief period of time, typically a few seconds to a few minutes. Long-term memory, on the other hand, stores information for an extended period of time, ranging from hours to a lifetime. Option A is incorrect because long-term memory does not hold information in a permanent state, as memories can still be forgotten or altered over time. Option B is incorrect because long-term memory retains information in a more permanent state than short-term memory. Finally, option D is incorrect because long-term memory does not solely involve internalizing information, but also retrieving and utilizing stored information. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as it accurately distinguishes between the functions of short-term and long-term memory.