About Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory, also known as active memory, is responsible for temporarily holding onto and manipulating information. We’re talking really short-term. Information is stored for 15-30 seconds. Maybe a bit more or less. Anything remembered beyond that is a long-term memory.

Short-term memory is essential for everyday functioning; it is used for things like:

• Remembering the name of someone you just met
• Recalling why you opened the refrigerator door
• Remembering the great idea you just had long enough to write it down
• Remembering what you just read in the previous bullet point
• Remembering information needed to sustain a conversation

Short-term memory capacity was thought to be in the range of 5 to 9 chunks of information (See George Miller’s 1956 paper The Magic Number Seven, Plus Or Minus Two). More recent research indicates the limit is around 4 pieces of information (See Cowan N. What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory? ).

Memory consolidation is the process that converts memories from short-term to long-term. The mechanism for this transfer of information is unclear, and researchers hold varying theories. Some think all memories are automatically transferred, while others suggest only select memories are retained for the long term.

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