Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

The three main types of memory in psychology are sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory is the initial stage of memory that holds a vast amount of information in its raw form for a very brief period, typically a fraction of a second, which allows individuals to perceive stimuli such as sights and sounds. Following sensory memory, when information is attended to, it enters short-term memory. Short-term memory has a limited capacity and duration, usually around 20-30 seconds, and serves as a temporary storage area for information that might be needed for immediate tasks or purposes.

Long-term memory, on the other hand, is where information is stored for extended periods, ranging from hours to a lifetime. It encompasses a vast amount of knowledge, including facts, experiences, and skills. Long-term memory can be further divided into explicit (declarative) memory, which involves conscious recall, and implicit (non-declarative) memory, which involves unconscious retention.

Options that mention false memory, working memory, or immediate memory do not fit within the traditional classification used in psychology for the three main types of memory. While working memory is indeed a crucial concept associated with short-term processes and is fundamental to tasks involving manipulation of information, it