Which system is responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information for cognitive tasks?

The system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information for cognitive tasks is Working Memory. Working memory is a limited capacity system that plays a critical role in our ability to reason, learn, and solve problems. It allows individuals to temporarily store and manage information necessary for tasks such as comprehension, learning new concepts, and decision-making.

Working memory is distinct from long-term memory, which pertains to the storage of information over extended periods, and from sensory memory, which retains information from sensory input for a very brief duration. Explicit memory concerns the conscious recollection of information, like facts and events, but does not specifically emphasize the temporary manipulation of information needed for immediate cognitive tasks. Thus, Working Memory is the precise system that serves these functions, making it the correct choice in this context.