Why can we remember a telephone number long enough to place a call, but then we forget it almost immediately?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the cognitive phenomenon of memory, particularly focusing on short-term memory and why we can hold information temporarily for specific tasks but lose that information shortly after. This relates to how short-term memory works and the concept of working memory.
Answer
This occurs because phone numbers are stored in working memory through maintenance rehearsal, lasting only 15 to 30 seconds.
The ability to remember a phone number long enough to place a call but forget it almost immediately is due to the use of working memory. This type of memory uses maintenance rehearsal to keep information for a short duration (15 to 30 seconds) and not long-term memory techniques like elaborative rehearsal.
Answer for screen readers
The ability to remember a phone number long enough to place a call but forget it almost immediately is due to the use of working memory. This type of memory uses maintenance rehearsal to keep information for a short duration (15 to 30 seconds) and not long-term memory techniques like elaborative rehearsal.
More Information
Working memory is responsible for temporarily holding information for immediate use, which is useful for tasks requiring quick recall. Once the task is completed, the information is typically not transferred to long-term memory unless additional effort is made.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming this short-term memory is reliable for long-term needs. Repeated rehearsal or meaningful association is needed for long-term retention.
Sources
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