How does forgetting differ between short-term and long-term memory? Short-term memory loss appears to be better explained by _______ theory than long-term memory failure.
A) decay
B) reconstruction
C) interference
D) motivated forgetting

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Short-term memory is limited capacity and time-bound, and forgetting occurs due to decay of memory traces over time. On the other hand, long-term memory has a vast capacity and duration, and forgetting is mainly attributed to interference from other memories or retrieval failure. Reconstruction theory explains how retrieval cues and context can influence the accuracy of retrieved memories, but it does not explain simple forgetting. Motivated forgetting suggests that we intentionally forget unpleasant or embarrassing memories, but there is limited evidence for this concept.

How Does Forgetting Differ Between Short-Term and Long-Term Memory? Short-Term