What kind of memories are retained without conscious effort or awareness?

The correct choice, which identifies the type of memories that are retained without conscious effort or awareness, is implicit memories. Implicit memories pertain to skills, procedures, and conditioned responses that individuals can perform without the need to consciously recall specific experiences or facts. For example, riding a bicycle or typing on a keyboard involves implicit memory, as these actions rely on learned skills that become automatic through practice.

Implicit memories operate below the level of conscious awareness, allowing individuals to perform tasks without actively thinking about the specific steps involved. This distinguishes them from other types of memory, such as explicit memories, which involve conscious recollection of facts and events, requiring intentional retrieval from memory. Declarative memories, a subset of explicit memory, specifically relate to facts and information that can be consciously accessed. Working memories, on the other hand, are involved in the immediate processing and manipulation of information but do not reflect long-term retention or automatic recall.

Thus, implicit memories are crucial for everyday functioning, as they enable individuals to carry out activities efficiently without the need for conscious thought regarding the specifics of each task.