AP Psychology Practice Test

Working memory is considered to be different from short-term memory primarily because it involves not just the temporary storage of information but also the processing and manipulation of that information. Working memory allows individuals to hold and work with information at the same time, which is essential for complex tasks such as reasoning, comprehension, and learning. For instance, when solving a math problem in your head, you are not only holding numbers in a short-term capacity but also applying operations to them.

Short-term memory, on the other hand, is mainly concerned with the capacity to store information for a short period, typically seconds to minutes, without necessarily engaging in deeper cognitive processes. Thus, while short-term memory serves as a temporary holding space for information, working memory engages in actively processing that information to facilitate more complex cognitive tasks.

The other choices highlight aspects of memory and cognitive processes that do not reflect the unique capabilities and functions of working memory compared to short-term memory, making them less relevant in distinguishing the two concepts.