Short-term memory

Definition

Short-term memory is a limited-capacity system that temporarily holds and processes information for brief periods, typically ranging from a few seconds to about a minute. It plays a crucial role in motor learning by allowing individuals to retain and manipulate information necessary for executing and refining motor skills during practice and performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Short-term memory can typically hold around 7±2 items at once, according to Miller's law, which highlights its limited capacity.
2. Information in short-term memory is often lost quickly unless it is rehearsed or encoded into long-term memory.
3. The duration of short-term memory is generally short-lived, lasting only about 20 to 30 seconds without active rehearsal.
4. Short-term memory is essential for tasks requiring immediate recall, such as following complex instructions in motor tasks or sports.
5. Strategies like chunking can enhance the effectiveness of short-term memory by organizing information into meaningful patterns.

Review Questions

• How does short-term memory function in the context of motor skill acquisition and performance?
  • Short-term memory serves as a temporary holding area for information related to motor skills during practice. It allows individuals to retain and manipulate critical cues while performing tasks, such as remembering sequences of movements or instructions. This immediate processing is vital for refining skills, as it enables quick adjustments and responses based on real-time feedback.
• Discuss the relationship between short-term memory and long-term memory in the learning process of motor skills.
  • Short-term memory acts as the initial stage where new information is processed before it can transition into long-term memory. For effective motor skill learning, information must be repeatedly rehearsed and encoded in short-term memory before it can be stored more permanently. This interplay ensures that skills learned during practice are retained over time and can be executed proficiently during performance.
• Evaluate how techniques such as chunking can enhance the retention of information in short-term memory for motor learning.
  • Chunking improves retention in short-term memory by organizing information into larger, more manageable units, making it easier to remember complex sequences or movements. In motor learning, this technique can help athletes remember intricate play strategies or skill sequences by breaking them down into digestible parts. By reducing cognitive load, chunking facilitates better recall and execution of motor tasks, ultimately enhancing overall performance.

Related terms

working memory: A cognitive system that actively holds multiple pieces of transitory information in the mind, allowing for reasoning and guidance of decision-making and behavior.

long-term memory: A more permanent storage system that can hold an unlimited amount of information for extended periods, from days to years, essential for storing learned motor skills and experiences.

chunking: A technique used to improve short-term memory by grouping individual pieces of information into larger, more manageable units or 'chunks.'