What kind of memories rely on arbitrary symbols that have no intrinsic relation to what they represent?

The correct answer is that symbolic representations rely on arbitrary symbols that have no intrinsic relation to what they represent. In cognitive psychology, symbolic representation refers to the use of symbols or signs to stand for concepts or ideas. These symbols can be words, images, or diagrams that convey meaning but do not have a natural connection to the concepts they represent. For example, the word "dog" does not have any direct relation to the animal it denotes; it is simply a label we have agreed upon.

This type of memory is foundational in language and communication, where the meanings we assign to words and symbols are learned socially rather than stemming from the characteristics of the objects or ideas themselves. In contrast, other memory types mentioned, such as declarative memories, which include facts and events, do not inherently revolve around symbols that lack an intrinsic relationship; instead, they relate to knowledge that can be consciously recalled. Propositional networks and mental representations, while engaging with abstract concepts and ideas, do not specifically highlight the arbitrary nature of the symbols used. Thus, identifying symbolic representations as the kind of memory that relies on arbitrary symbols is aligned with what is known about cognitive processes.