Short-term memory
Short-term memory is what is used to retain information for a short period of time – seconds or minutes.
Short-term memory is a temporary store.
Long-term memory
Long-term memory is what is used to retain information for a long period of time.
Long-term memory is a long-lasting or permanent store.
Which type of memory is a temporary store?
1) Fleeting Memory
2) Transient Memory
3) Short-term Memory
4) Long-term Memory
Features of Short-Term and Long-Term Memory
We can describe the capacity and duration of short-term memory and long-term memory as follows:
Duration of memory categories
• Short-term memory has a duration of up to 30 seconds.
- This means that we tend to forget information in 30 seconds or fewer unless we take action to retain it (for example by writing something down).
• Long-term memory has an unlimited duration.
- We can retain things in long-term memory for days or years.
But long-term memory is subject to forgetting.
Capacity of memory categories
• Short-term memory has a limited capacity.
We can only hold around 7 items or fewer in short-term memory at any one time.
• Long-term memory has an unlimited capacity.
This means that a person’s long-term memory never gets full.
Short-term memory has a limited c_______. We can only hold around 7 items or fewer in short-term memory at any one time.
Perseverance is what makes great learners - let's keep going
What is the usual duration of short-term memory?
1) Around 2 minutes
2) Around 5 minutes
3) Around 30 minutes
4) Around 5 minutes
Forming New Memories
Memories can be formed in a variety of ways.
New experiences
• Sometimes memories form with little effort.
• Experiencing something new can cause it to enter short-term memory and be retained in long-term memory.
- This commonly happens when information is familiar, distinctive, and easy to understand.
Difficult things to remember
• On other occasions, it is hard to form new memories.
• This can happen when information is unfamiliar, not distinct and hard to understand.
- For example, complex new information in a school subject.
• Even meaningless information can be taken into short-term memory, but it will be rapidly forgotten.
Helping memories to form
• A key to forming new memories is to link them to what is already known.
• Repetition can help with forming new memories in long-term memory.
- Although this only works if the information is understood.
• Retrieving things from memory after a delay also helps.
• Sleep also plays a role in consolidating new memories.
- It is best to revise new information at least a day after you first study it.
What is the key to forming new memories?
1) Linking them to colours
2) Linking them to what is already known
3) Linking them to names
4) Linking them to new subjects
Even meaningless information can be taken into short-term memory, but it will be rapidly _________.
💬 Let’s go deeper together!
• Discuss psychology topics, clear your doubts, and strengthen your concepts.
• 📝 Spot where you slipped? I’ll help you fix it.
• 📸 Drop your answers/screenshots for instant guidance
We’re just getting started… and there’s so much more to explore 🧠✨.
Ans.
1) Short-term Memory
Long-term memory is indeed the permanent store because it retains information over extended periods, sometimes indefinitely. In contrast, short-term memory is temporary, holding information for only seconds or minutes. This distinction is crucial in understanding the multi-store model of memory, which explains how information moves from short-term to long-term memory through processes like rehearsal.
2) Capacity
In the context of short-term memory, capacity refers to the limited amount of information it can hold, typically around 7 items. This concept is crucial because it highlights the constraints of short-term memory, distinguishing it from long-term memory, which has an unlimited capacity. Understanding this helps explain why we need strategies like chunking to manage information effectively in short-term memory.
4) Linking them to what is already known
The key to forming new memories is linking them to what is already known because this process uses elaborative rehearsal, which helps transfer information into long-term memory. By connecting new information to existing knowledge, you create meaningful associations, making it easier to retrieve later. This is more effective than linking to new subjects, which might not provide a strong enough connection for memory retention.
5) forgotten
short-term memory (STM) can briefly hold information—even if it’s meaningless—but without attention, rehearsal, or meaningful connection, that information quickly fades away.
So, meaningless information is rapidly forgotten because the brain doesn’t find it important enough to retain or transfer into long-term memory.
