Short-term memory

Summary

Short-term memory is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a short interval. For example, short-term memory holds a phone number that has just been recited. The duration of short-term memory is estimated to be on the order of seconds. The commonly cited capacity of 7 items, found in Miller's law, has been superseded by 3-5 items. In contrast, long-term memory holds information indefinitely.