Final answer:
Jackie's intrusive memories demonstrate a failure of repression rather than issues with semantic processing, rehearsal, or long-term potentiation, as repression is meant to keep traumatic experiences out of conscious awareness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jackie is experiencing intrusive memories of an emotionally traumatic experience, which she has been trying to forget. The persistent, involuntary recall of these unpleasant memories suggests a phenomenon known as persistence, which is a failure in the memory system.
It is clear that Jackie's intrusive memories are not indicative of unsuccessful semantic processing, rehearsal, or long-term potentiation, but rather they provide evidence of unsuccessful repression. Repression is a defense mechanism where anxiety-causing memories are blocked from consciousness.
In Jackie's case, the traumatic experience is still surfacing, which indicates that the repression is not fully successful. It also aligns with the arousal theory, which states that strong emotions trigger the formation of strong memories, and sometimes such memories can invade conscious awareness despite attempts to forget them. The correct option is D.