Which aspect of memory involves the duration information is retained in short-term storage?

The aspect of memory that pertains specifically to how long information can be held in short-term storage is known as retention time. This concept refers to the duration that information remains accessible before it is either forgotten or moved to long-term storage. In short-term memory, the retention time is generally brief, typically lasting only about 15 to 30 seconds without rehearsal. This characteristic is crucial for understanding how short-term memory functions, as it highlights the limitations of this memory system in retaining information over extended periods.

While other terms such as memory span and storage capacity also relate to aspects of memory, they address different features. Memory span refers to the amount of information that can be accurately recalled after a single presentation, while storage capacity indicates the total amount of information that can be held in memory at any given time. Encoding failure, on the other hand, relates to the process of transforming sensory input into a format suitable for storage, rather than the duration of information retention.