Short-term memory

Definition

Short-term memory is a temporary storage system that holds a limited amount of information for a brief period, typically around 15 to 30 seconds. It allows individuals to retain and manipulate information for immediate tasks, playing a crucial role in learning and problem-solving. Short-term memory is often viewed as the bridge between sensory input and long-term memory consolidation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Short-term memory typically has a capacity of about 7±2 items, meaning most people can remember around 5 to 9 pieces of information at once.
2. Information in short-term memory can be easily lost if not rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory.
3. The duration of short-term memory is generally around 15 to 30 seconds unless actively maintained through rehearsal.
4. Neuroscientifically, short-term memory is associated with activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in attention and decision-making processes.
5. Distraction can significantly impair short-term memory performance, highlighting its reliance on focused attention.

Review Questions

• How does short-term memory differ from long-term memory in terms of capacity and duration?
  • Short-term memory differs from long-term memory primarily in both capacity and duration. Short-term memory can hold about 7±2 items for a brief period, usually between 15 to 30 seconds. In contrast, long-term memory has a much larger capacity and can retain information for extended periods, potentially for a lifetime. This distinction is important for understanding how information is processed and retained in the brain.
• Discuss the role of chunking in enhancing short-term memory capacity and provide an example.
  • Chunking plays a significant role in enhancing short-term memory capacity by allowing individuals to group information into larger units. For instance, instead of remembering the sequence '1, 9, 9, 4', one could chunk it as '1994', which is easier to recall. This technique reduces the number of individual items needing to be remembered, effectively increasing the amount of information that can be held in short-term memory.
• Evaluate the implications of distraction on short-term memory performance and its relevance in real-world situations.
  • Distraction has profound implications on short-term memory performance, as it can significantly reduce the ability to retain and recall information temporarily stored. In real-world situations, such as studying or multitasking at work, distractions can lead to decreased productivity and higher chances of forgetting important information. Understanding this relationship emphasizes the importance of creating focused environments for optimal learning and task completion.

Related terms

Working Memory: A cognitive system that actively holds and manipulates information in short-term memory, allowing for complex tasks like reasoning and comprehension.

Chunking: A technique used to improve short-term memory capacity by grouping information into larger, more manageable units or 'chunks'.

Long-term Memory: A more permanent storage system that retains information over extended periods, allowing for recall and retrieval long after the initial learning has occurred.