Question

Which statement about the capacity of long-term memory is most accurate?

a) Long-term memory has a limited capacity, similar to short-term memory.
b) Long-term memory has an unlimited capacity.
c) The capacity of long-term memory decreases with age.
d) Long-term memory capacity is fixed for every individual.

Answer 1

The capacity of long-term memory is considered unlimited, distinguishing it from the limited capacity of short-term memory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most accurate statement about the capacity of long-term memory (LTM) is that it has an unlimited capacity. Unlike short-term memory, which has a limited capacity and can be affected by factors like memory trace decay and proactive interference, long-term memory does not have such constraints. Long-term memory includes both explicit memories, which are conscious and can be verbally described, and implicit memories, which are acquired through experiences and performed without conscious awareness. The Atkinson-Shiffrin model also suggests that information must pass through sensory and short-term memory stages before it can be stored in long-term memory. Thus, the correct answer to the question is b) Long-term memory has an unlimited capacity.