What type of memory is primarily responsible for recalling facts and general knowledge?

The correct answer is semantic memory, which specifically refers to the type of memory responsible for storing and recalling facts, concepts, and general knowledge about the world. This includes information such as the meanings of words, historical dates, scientific principles, and other factual knowledge. Semantic memory operates independently of personal experiences, allowing individuals to access information that is not tied to a specific moment in time, which differentiates it from episodic memory that involves personal experiences and events.

In contrast, episodic memory focuses on individual occurrences and personal context, such as remembering what happened on a particular birthday. Implicit memory refers to skills and tasks that are performed without conscious awareness, like riding a bike or tying shoelaces, and does not involve the recollection of facts. Long-term memory is a broader category that encompasses both episodic and semantic memories, as well as others like procedural memory, but it does not specify the characteristic of recalling factual information. For these reasons, semantic memory is the most accurate choice when identifying the type of memory related to the recall of facts and general knowledge.