Short-Term Memory - Overview and Strategies

S.S.T (Short-Term Memory)

• Definition: Short-term memory (STM) refers to the capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a brief period.

• Duration:

  • Typically lasts for about 15-30 seconds without rehearsal.

• Capacity:

  • According to Miller's Law, the average capacity is about 7±2 items (5 to 9 items).

• Function:

  • Acts as a temporary storage system that allows for the processing and manipulation of information.
  • Important for tasks like reasoning, comprehension, and learning.

• Encoding:

  • Primarily acoustic (based on sound), but can also involve visual and semantic encoding.

• Maintenance Strategies:

  • Rehearsal: Repeating information to keep it in STM.
  • Chunking: Grouping items into larger, meaningful units to enhance retention.

• Decay Theory:

  • Information in STM can fade or decay over time if not actively maintained.

• Interference:

  • New information can disrupt the retention of information already held in STM.

• Relation to Working Memory:

  • STM is often considered a component of working memory, which includes the manipulation and organization of information.

• Examples:

  • Remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.
  • Keeping track of a shopping list while in a store.

• Assessment:

  • Common tests include digit span tasks and word list recall tasks.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

• Short-term memory refers to the capacity for holding a limited amount of information in an active state for a short duration.
• Typically retains information for 15-30 seconds without rehearsal.
• The average capacity of STM is estimated at 7±2 items, as outlined by Miller's Law, allowing for retention of 5 to 9 items.
• Functions as a temporary storage system crucial for processing and manipulating information.
• Essential for reasoning, comprehension, and learning tasks.

Encoding and Maintenance Strategies

• Primarily involves acoustic encoding, which relies on sound, but may also engage visual and semantic encoding.
• Key maintenance strategies include:
  • Rehearsal: Repeating information to prolong its presence in STM.
  • Chunking: Grouping related items into larger, meaningful units, enhancing retention capabilities.

Theories of Memory Retention

• Decay Theory: Suggests that information in STM fades over time if not actively maintained.
• Interference: New information can interfere with the retention of previously held information in STM.

Relationship with Working Memory

• STM is considered a component of working memory, which encompasses the manipulation and organization of stored information.

Real-World Examples

• Remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.
• Keeping track of a shopping list while navigating through a store.

Assessment Methods

• Common assessments for STM include digit span tasks and word list recall tasks to evaluate memory capacity and retention.

This quiz covers the essential aspects of short-term memory, including its definition, duration, capacity, and encoding methods. Explore maintenance strategies like rehearsal and chunking, as well as theories related to decay and interference. Test your understanding of how short-term memory functions in learning and processing information.