Final answer:
Implicit memory is difficult to study because it does not operate on a conscious level, making it challenging to measure directly. Studies of this type of memory often require indirect testing to evaluate its influence on behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Implicit memory is challenging to study because it operates on an unconscious level. Unlike explicit memory, which involves memories we actively try to remember and can articulate, implicit memory influences our behavior without our awareness. For instance, procedural memory, a type of implicit memory, allows us to perform tasks such as riding a bicycle without consciously thinking about the steps involved. This automaticity makes it difficult to study because implicit memory cannot be readily observed or measured through introspection or direct questioning. Instead, it is often assessed through changes in performance on certain tasks that suggest the influence of a prior experience.
The correct answer to the student's question would be "C. It does not operate on a conscious level." Implicit memory is thus difficult to study directly, as individuals are unable to self-report on these memories or may not even realize they have them. The study of implicit memory often requires indirect testing methods that can assess the influence of past experiences on current behavior or performance without requiring conscious recollection.