People have two types of memory, short-term memory that has a short recall period (then it is eliminated) and long-term memory, which is where memories are stored so that they can be accessed when necessary. In this article we are going to focus on short-term memory, since it is essential to understand it in order to understand human memory.
Short-term memory, also known as primary or active memory, is the information that we are currently aware of or that we are thinking about. The information found in short-term memory comes from paying attention to sensory memories. Short-term memory is short, it only lasts for a few seconds, and it also has a limited capacity (it cannot retain more than approximately 7 elements).
How long does short-term memory last?
Most of the information stored in short-term memory will be stored for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, but it may only take a few seconds if the information is not actively held. Some information can last in short-term memory for up to a minute, but most information decays spontaneously quite quickly.
For example, imagine you want to remember a phone number and the person giving it recites it and you make a quick mental note. Moments later you realize that you have already forgotten the number. Without rehearsing or continuing to repeat the number until memory has been committed, information is quickly lost from short-term memory.
You can increase the duration of short-term memories somewhat by using rehearsal strategies, such as saying the information out loud or repeating it mentally. However, information in short-term memory is also very susceptible to interference. Any new information that enters short-term memory will quickly displace any previous information. Only if information is actively worked on could it be saved in long-term memory.
Short-term memory and other important memories
Distinction between short-term memory and working memory
Short-term memory is often used interchangeably with working memory, but the two must be used separately. Working memory refers to the processes used to temporarily store, organize, and manipulate information. Short-term memory, on the other hand, refers only to the temporary storage of information in memory.
Distinguish short-term from long-term memory
Each of the memories can be distinguished based on storage capacity and duration. While long-term memory has a seemingly unlimited capacity, short-term memory is relatively short and limited. Fragmentation of information in small groups makes it easier to remember more items in a short period.
The information processing view of memory suggests that human memory functions like a computer. In this model, information is first entered into short-term memory (a temporary store for recent things) and then some of this information is transferred to long-term memory (a relatively permanent store), much like information in a computer is saved to the hard drive or deleted.
How can short-term memories become long-term memories?
Since short-term memory is limited in both capacity and duration, memory retention requires transferring information from short-term memory to long-term memory. How exactly does this happen? There are a few different ways that information can be transferred with long-term memory.
Fragmentation is a memorization technique that can facilitate the transfer of information to long-term memory. This approach involves dividing the information into smaller segments. If you were trying to memorize a string of numbers, for example, you would separate them into three or four blocks of elements.
The essay can also help the information get into long-term memory. You can use this approach when studying materials for an exam. Instead of just checking the information once or twice, you can go through your notes over and over again until critical information is confirmed in memory.