What type of memory is accessible for a long duration and sometimes throughout life?

The correct answer, long-term memory, is characterized by its capacity to store information for extended periods, often spanning from days to a lifetime. This type of memory allows individuals to retain knowledge and experiences, such as personal events or learned skills, over a long duration. Long-term memory is crucial for many cognitive processes, including language acquisition, retention of academic material, and the development of personal identity through memories of significant life events.

In contrast, short-term memory typically retains information for only a brief period, usually seconds to minutes. Working memory is a more active form of short-term memory that facilitates the manipulation of information for tasks such as problem-solving and reasoning. Immediate memory, on the other hand, refers to the capacity to hold information for a very short time directly after it is perceived. Therefore, long-term memory is distinct in its ability to store and recall a wide array of information throughout an individual's life span.