Why do we not constantly hold all memories in working memory?

• A. Because otherwise cognitive overload would prevent focusing on a task.
• B. Because working memory has unlimited capacity but we choose to forget.
• C. Because long-term memory would degrade.
• D. Because attention cannot be divided.

Answer: (A)

Working memory has a limited capacity and can actively hold only a small number of items at once. If we tried to keep every memory active, the mental load would become overwhelming, making it hard to focus on the current task and to process new information effectively. This cognitive overload would slow thinking, increase mistakes, and reduce our ability to manipulate what we’re doing right now. Long-term memory is for storage and retrieval, not for keeping everything in an active workspace, so information is accessed as needed rather than kept in constant, full visibility in working memory. While attention is limited, the key constraint here is the finite capacity of working memory itself, which prevents loading all memories at once.