Which of the following is the best reason that we have trouble remembering the license plate number of a car that we just passed ten minutes ago?
A) Working memory lasts only a minute or so.
B) License plate numbers are too difficult to remember easily.
C) We probably never encoded the number in the first place.
D) The memory,though present,is too difficult to retrieve except under special circumstances,such as hypnosis or substantial amounts of stress.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely reason we have trouble remembering the license plate number of a car we just passed ten minutes ago is that we probably never encoded the number in the first place. This means we didn't actively pay attention or attach meaning to the information in a way that would store it in our long-term memory. Working memory, which is responsible for holding onto information for a brief period, lasts only a few seconds to a minute, but it is unlikely that we would forget the license plate number so quickly if we had actually encoded it. Similarly, while license plate numbers may be difficult to remember, they are designed to be distinguishable and memorable, and most people can remember them if they make an effort to do so. Finally, while it is true that memories can be difficult to retrieve under certain circumstances, this is not usually the case with mundane information like a license plate number.

Which of the Following Is the Best Reason That We