Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory is the part of memory that holds information for short periods of time, generally a few seconds. Typically it means shorter than 30 seconds.

Check out the resources below to learn more about short-term memory.

What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory?

In the recent literature there has been considerable confusion about the three types of memory: long-term, short-term, and working memory. This chapter strives to reduce that confusion and makes up-to-date assessments of these types of memory. Long- and short-term memory could differ in two fundamental ways, with only short-term memory demonstrating (1) temporal decay and (2) chunk capacity limits. Both properties of short-term memory are still controversial but the current literature is rather encouraging regarding the existence of both decay and capacity limits. Working memory has been conceived and defined in three different, slightly discrepant ways: as short-term memory applied to cognitive tasks, as a multi-component system that holds and manipulates information in short-term memory, and as the use of attention to manage short-term memory. Regardless of the definition, there are some measures of memory in the short term that seem routine and do not correlate well with cognitive aptitudes and other measures (those usually identified with the term “working memory”) that seem more attention demanding and do correlate well with these aptitudes. The evidence is evaluated and placed within a theoretical framework depicted in Fig. 1.

Short-Term Memory Impairment

Short-term memory (STM), also referred to as short-term storage, or primary or active memory indicates different systems of memory involved in the retention of pieces of information (memory chunks) for a relatively short time (usually up to 30 seconds). In contrast, long-term memory (LTM) may hold an indefinite amount of information. The difference between the two memories, however, is not just in the ‘time’ variable but is above all functional. This activity illustrates the features of short term memory, describes the causes of short term memory impairment, and highlights the role of the an interprofessional team in evaluating and treating patients with these conditions.

How long is short-term memory? Shorter than you might think.

When I (or any cognitive psychologist) refer to “short-term memory”, we’re talking about memory that lasts for 15-30 seconds. Not minutes, not a day, not a few weeks. Just 15-30 seconds.

This differs quite drastically from the way people commonly use the term “short-term memory”. Have you heard people referring to how they can never find stuff they’ve left around the house, and following this with “my short-term memory is really bad”? According to cognitive psychology, that would be a completely inappropriate use of that term. For another inappropriate usage of the term, please see the following clip:

Scientists discover brain region linking short-term to long-term memory

We have a pretty good idea of where memory starts and ends—short-term memories form in the hippocampus and, if the situation calls for it, stabilize into long-term memories in the cortex. But what happens along the winding path between short-term to long-term memory is a mystery.

Now, a new study identifies the anterior thalamus as a brain region linking hippocampus and cortex that is key to the memory consolidation process. “The findings provide traction toward understanding how transient memories reorganize across the brain to progressively more enduring forms,” says Rockefeller’s Priya Rajasethupathy.

How Memories Are Made: Stages of Memory Formation

According to Becker, short-term memory occurs in two parts: traditionally termed “short-term memory” and “working memory.” Short-term memory is when the brain stores information temporarily so that it can be repeated, such as remembering a phone number you see on TV. Working memory refers to the brain storing information for the purpose of manipulating it, such as remembering a set of numbers while working on a math problem.

When psychologists talk about improving memory, they most commonly focus on working memory because you have the most control over it and can actively improve it.