Final answer:
the correct answer option is D. Procedural memory is relatively resistant to forgetting and is part of implicit long-term memory, concerning skills we perform automatically, contrary to the more forgettable explicit or declarative memories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is D. Procedural memory which is relatively resistant to forgetting. Procedural memory, a component of implicit long-term memory, is responsible for knowing how to do things, also known as motor skills. It includes memories of tasks and skills we have learned to perform automatically, like riding a bicycle or typing on a keyboard. This kind of memory is consistently practiced and is less likely to be forgotten than explicit or declarative memories which are consciously recalled, such as facts and events.
Explicit memory, which can be semantic or episodic, is subject to forgetting more so than procedural memory. Semantic memory deals with facts and general knowledge, while episodic memory concerns personal experiences. Despite being a part of long-term memory, both types require effortful recall and can degrade, especially when cues or prompts are not present to aid in retrieval. Encoding, storing, and retrieval are all functions of memory that play roles in how well we remember information.
The resilience of procedural memory to forgetting is likely because it is ingrained through repeated practice and is often utilized without conscious thought, hence it does not require the same level of conscious recall as explicit memories. As Craik and Tulving's research on semantic encoding reveals, though semantic memories can be strengthened through deep processing, they do not generally have the same level of resistance to forgetting as procedural memories encoded through repeated action.