Final answer:
The true statement about long-term storage is that whenever a memory is retrieved, it has the potential to be disrupted. This happens due to the malleability of memories during the reconsolidation process where memories can be altered with new information or context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about long-term storage is that each time a memory is retrieved, it becomes vulnerable to disruption. This concept is known as memory reconsolidation, where existing memories can be modified during the recall process.
Long-term memory (LTM) serves as the continuous storage of information. Unlike short-term memory, where encoding failures or interference can make information difficult to retrieve or retain, LTM has a practically limitless capacity. However, once memories are stored, they are not fixed and can be altered. This change can occur each time a memory is retrieved, which is a process that can make the memory susceptible to being disrupted or altered.
One common misconception is that long-term memories are permanent once they are consolidated. However, research in the field of cognitive psychology has shown that memory construction and reconstruction happen regularly. Reconstructed memories can include inaccuracies or distortions, often without intentional deception. This is because retrieving a memory is an active process that can involve reshaping it with new information or context, leading to what is referred to as the reconsolidation process.