Which theory explains the process by which memories fade from short-term memory over time due to lack of use?

Explanation

Decay theory posits that memory traces naturally degrade over time if they are not periodically accessed or rehearsed. In the context of short-term memory, if information is not actively maintained, the neural pathways associated with that memory weaken, leading to the eventual loss of the information. This process is a fundamental explanation for why we forget information that is not transferred to long-term storage.