Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) Practice Exam

What is described as the temporary storehouse for a few items that can be actively used?

1. Long-term memory

2. Working memory

3. Short-term memory

4. Permanent memory

The correct answer is: Short-term memory

The concept referred to as the temporary storehouse for a few items that can be actively used is known as short-term memory. Short-term memory is designed to hold a small amount of information for a limited duration, typically around 20 to 30 seconds. This allows individuals to process and manipulate information actively, which is crucial for tasks such as problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making. Short-term memory is involved when individuals need to retain information just long enough to use it, such as remembering a phone number while dialing or following instructions. It typically has a limited capacity, often described by the "rule of seven," where people can hold about seven items in their short-term memory at once, although this can vary among individuals. While working memory may seem similar, it specifically refers to the active manipulation and use of information held temporarily, whereas short-term memory focuses more on the simple storage of information before it is either forgotten or encoded into long-term memory. Long-term memory and permanent memory describe more sustained forms of memory storage that encapsulate knowledge formed over time.