Which statement best describes how working memory differs from simple maintenance rehearsal?

• A. It is a fixed, unchanging store.
• B. It involves active manipulation and processing of information.
• C. It can only store information for a few seconds.
• D. It is unrelated to attention.

Answer: (B)

Working memory differs from simple maintenance rehearsal because it does more than just hold information in mind; it actively manipulates and processes that information. The model emphasizes that a central system directs attention and coordinates operations, allowing you to update, transform, or combine data from different stores (like auditory and visual information). This kind of mental work is what you do when you solve a problem, rearrange items in your head, or compare items while keeping them in mind. Maintenance rehearsal, on the other hand, is basically repeating information to keep it briefly accessible, which keeps storage but involves little processing or attention-driven manipulation. So the best description is that working memory involves active manipulation and processing of information, not just passive maintenance.