Short-Term Memory: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Short-term memory (STM) is a type of memory that stores information for a brief period of time. It is responsible for holding on to information that is needed in the short-term, such as remembering a phone number or a grocery list. It is often referred to as working memory, as it is the memory that is used to work on tasks. STM is a crucial part of the cognitive process and is essential for everyday functioning.

What Is Short-Term Memory?

Short-term memory is the memory system that stores information for a short period of time. This type of memory is responsible for holding on to information that is needed in the short-term, such as remembering a phone number or a grocery list. STM is a crucial part of the cognitive process and is essential for everyday functioning.

The capacity of STM is limited; it can only hold a small amount of information at a time. The amount of information that can be stored in STM is usually referred to as the “span” of STM. The span of STM is typically seven plus or minus two items. This means that an average person can remember seven items at a time, but this can vary from person to person.

The information stored in STM is also very fragile. It is easily forgotten if not rehearsed or if new information is added. This means that if you are trying to remember a phone number and you are interrupted by a new thought, you may forget the phone number.

How Does Short-Term Memory Work?

The process of STM involves three stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding

Encoding is the process of taking in information and translating it into a form that can be stored in memory. The information is taken in through the senses, such as sight, sound, and touch. This information is then processed and encoded into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storage

Storage is the process of maintaining the information in memory. This is done by rehearsing the information or by connecting it to other information that is already stored in memory. This helps to strengthen the memory trace and make it easier to recall.

Retrieval

Retrieval is the process of accessing the information that is stored in memory. This is done by accessing the memory trace that was created during the encoding and storage stages.

Factors That Affect Short-Term Memory

There are several factors that can affect STM, such as age, stress, and attention.

Age

Age is an important factor in STM. As we age, our STM capacity decreases. This is due to a decrease in the ability to process and store information.

Stress

Stress can have a negative effect on STM. When we are stressed, our ability to process and store information is impaired, which can lead to a decrease in STM capacity.

Attention

Attention is an important factor in STM. If we are not paying attention to the information that is being processed and stored, it is more likely to be forgotten.

Conclusion

Short-term memory is a type of memory that stores information for a brief period of time. It is responsible for holding on to information that is needed in the short-term, such as remembering a phone number or a grocery list. STM is a crucial part of the cognitive process and is essential for everyday functioning. The capacity of STM is limited, and the information stored in STM is fragile. The process of STM involves three stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval. There are several factors that can affect STM, such as age, stress, and attention.

FAQs

What Is the Capacity of Short-Term Memory?

What Are the Three Stages of Short-Term Memory?

The process of STM involves three stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is the process of taking in information and translating it into a form that can be stored in memory. Storage is the process of maintaining the information in memory. Retrieval is the process of accessing the information that is stored in memory.

What Are Some Factors That Affect Short-Term Memory?

There are several factors that can affect STM, such as age, stress, and attention. Age is an important factor in STM. Stress can have a negative effect on STM. Attention is an important factor in STM.