Which type of memory is characterized by a short duration and limited capacity?

The correct answer is short-term memory because it is defined by its brief duration and limited capacity for holding information. Short-term memory typically retains information for about 15 to 30 seconds and can usually hold around 7 plus or minus 2 items according to Miller's Law. This type of memory is crucial for tasks that require holding onto small bits of information temporarily, such as remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.

While working memory is also associated with short durations and can involve manipulating information, it goes a step further by actively processing and integrating information rather than simply storing it. Implicit memory and long-term memory, on the other hand, operate on very different principles. Implicit memory pertains to unconscious recall of skills and tasks, and long-term memory refers to information that can be stored for extended periods, often from minutes to a lifetime, and is not constrained by the short duration that characterizes short-term memory. Therefore, the distinctive features of short-term memory make it the correct choice in this context.