In short-term memory, how does the use of rehearsal affect performance?

The correct response highlights the significant role that rehearsal plays in short-term memory. Rehearsal refers to the process of consciously repeating information to keep it in active memory, which ultimately leads to improved retention and recall. When rehearsal is inhibited, individuals have a more challenging time maintaining information in their short-term memory. This can be demonstrated through various studies in cognitive psychology, where participants who engage in rehearsal show better performance in recall tasks compared to those who do not have that opportunity.

By contrast, choices indicating that rehearsal has no effect or that performance improves in all cases do not accurately represent the nuanced influence of rehearsal on memory tasks. Moreover, stating that performance is only affected under stress overlooks the broader impact of rehearsal inhibition regardless of the emotional context. Thus, by acknowledging that performance decreases when rehearsal is inhibited, the correct answer captures the fundamental importance of rehearsal in managing short-term memory effectively.