Short-Term Memory

Definition

Short-term memory is the temporary storage and processing of information that we are currently aware of or thinking about. It is a limited capacity system that holds information for a brief period, typically less than a minute, before it is either forgotten or transferred to long-term memory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Short-term memory has a limited capacity, typically holding around 7 (plus or minus 2) items of information at a time.
2. Information in short-term memory can be easily displaced or forgotten if it is not rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory.
3. The duration of information in short-term memory is very brief, typically lasting less than 20 seconds unless it is actively maintained through rehearsal.
4. Short-term memory is essential for tasks that require the temporary storage and manipulation of information, such as mental calculations, reading comprehension, and following instructions.
5. Factors that can influence short-term memory capacity and duration include age, stress, and certain medical conditions that affect cognitive function.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of attention in the encoding of information into short-term memory.
  • Attention is a crucial cognitive process for the encoding of information into short-term memory. In order for information to be stored in short-term memory, an individual must first focus their attention on that information and actively process it. Without sufficient attention, the information may not be encoded and will not be available for temporary storage and manipulation in short-term memory.
• Describe the relationship between short-term memory and working memory, and how they differ in their functions.
  • While short-term memory and working memory are closely related, they are distinct concepts. Short-term memory refers to the temporary storage of information, whereas working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of that information to accomplish complex cognitive tasks. Working memory builds upon the foundation of short-term memory, utilizing the temporary storage of information to perform mental operations and problem-solving. The key difference is that working memory requires the active engagement and manipulation of information, whereas short-term memory is a more passive storage system.
• Analyze how factors such as age, stress, and medical conditions can influence an individual's short-term memory capacity and duration.
  • Short-term memory can be affected by various factors, including age, stress, and certain medical conditions. As individuals age, their short-term memory capacity and duration may decline due to changes in brain structure and function. Stress can also impair short-term memory by diverting attentional resources and interfering with the encoding and retrieval of information. Medical conditions that affect cognitive function, such as dementia, traumatic brain injury, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, can significantly impair short-term memory by disrupting the underlying neurological processes responsible for temporary information storage and manipulation. Understanding how these factors can influence short-term memory is crucial for developing effective strategies to support and enhance cognitive performance.

Related terms

Working Memory: Working memory is an active system that not only stores information temporarily, but also manipulates and processes that information to accomplish complex cognitive tasks.

Attention: Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring others, which is crucial for the encoding of information into short-term memory.

Rehearsal: Rehearsal is the process of actively repeating information in order to maintain it in short-term memory and potentially transfer it to long-term memory.