The best argument that long-term memory and short-term memory are separate entities is that:
A) brain damage can leave one but not the other memory intact
B) recent events are remembered better than most past events
C) recalling past events, but not recent events, requires retrieval cues
D) the recency effect, but not the primacy effect, can be disrupted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Brain damage can selectively affect either short-term or long-term memory, suggesting that they are different systems. For example, damage to the hippocampus can impair the formation of new long-term memories, while leaving short-term memory relatively intact.

Option B describes a phenomenon known as the "serial position effect" rather than separate memory systems.

Option C suggests that retrieval of memories depends on contextual cues, but does not necessarily indicate separate memory systems.

Option D refers to the fact that people tend to remember more items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list, with the recency effect being more vulnerable to disruption. However, this again does not necessarily imply separate memory systems.

The Best Argument That Long-Term Memory and Short-Term Memory Are