How Long is a Person's Short Term Memory (And Why?)

How Long is a Person’s Short Term Memory (And Why?)

Exact Answer: Up to 30 seconds

Human memory is really fascinating, and it can be broadly classified into two categories which are long-term memory and short-term memory. Long-term memory is the one which we use to recall pieces of information in exams and so on while short-term memory is the working memory. 

The three major characteristics of short-term memory are limited time and storage, which means that it is only present in the forefront for up to 30 seconds. Even then it is very fragile and only about five to nine elements can be stored in the short-term memory. It is encoded primarily via acoustic where even the visual information is translated to sounds. 

How Long is a Persons Short Term Memory

How Long is a Person’s Short Term Memory?

Short-term memory is very important as it helps us to perform our day-to-day life activities, for example, this memory helps us to recite or reiterate something we just heard maybe a phone number or any information. This memory lingers on the mind somewhere between 20 to 30 seconds, after which it is either forgotten or changed into long-term memory via repeated rehearsal. It is dependent on the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain and here the information is stored in acoustic code. 

There are three operations for which short-term memory is responsible for those are iconic, which is the ability to store images, acoustic, the major one in which the information is stored in acoustic code. Finally is the working memory though it is more used interchangeably with short-term memory, however, they are not the same. And what is even more fascinating with working memory is that it is flexible, dynamic, and can be changed into long-term memory with various practices, while with short-term we can only storage pieces of information with no manipulation. 

In Summary:

FeaturesShort-term Memory 
PersistenceVery brief, up tp thirty seconds.
AccessImmediate
Capacity Limited, we can only recall seven items(Miller’s Law)
InputVery fast

Why is the Short Term Memory short-lived? 

To understand why short-term memory is called so we will first have to understand how memory is stored in our brains. There are three areas of the brain where memory is stored, which are the hippocampus, the neocortex, and the amygdala. Short-term memory is stored in the prefrontal cortex, which is a part of the neocortex. Using advanced science and technologies like magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) we have found out that when people perform a task that requires short-term memory the prefrontal cortex becomes active in our brains. 

Not only that there is a clear distinction in the functioning of the left and right parts of the prefrontal cortex. The left part is responsible for verbal working memory and the right part is responsible for spatial working memory. Another part of the brain which is essential for good memory is the hippocampus, it is required for changing a short-term memory to long-term memory. 

Now, since short-term memory is low in persistence and capacity, there are methods of changing short-term memory to long-term memory. These methods include the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model is the classical method which states that short-term memory is changed into long-term memory after a certain duration of time. Chunking is another method that is basically memorizing certain pieces of information and then there is the rehearsal method. The most fun is the exercise method, where physical exercises can help one to remember things and recall them better. 

Short-term memory is very crucial for a healthy and content life, and diseases and injuries can alter the capacity and persistence of the short-term memory. Short-term memory loss is one such condition in which a person cannot recall what they do, hear or say just recently, which causes hindrance in their daily life. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that short-term memory is important for our daily activities and routines. The time period of up to approximately thirty seconds is the standard in humans and when that changes it can be an indication for any underlying conditions or disease. It can not only be short-term memory loss, but also other conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s, or even Alzheimer’s. Thus it is important to have a healthy lifestyle, with exercise and no addition to substances as all these can cause harm to various parts of the brain. 

References

  1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09602011.2012.656460
  2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8840975/

dot 1
One request?

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

24 thoughts on “How Long is a Person’s Short Term Memory (And Why?)”

  1. The article offers an in-depth exploration of the science behind memory processing and transformation, making it an intellectually stimulating read.

    1. Avatar of Tiffany Powell
      Tiffany Powell

      The use of scientific references adds substantial credibility to the information presented, making it a reliable source of knowledge.

    2. The article leaves readers with a profound understanding of the complexities involved in the functionality and preservation of short-term memory.

  2. The detailed explanation of memory-related conditions such as short-term memory loss, dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s underscores the significance of the topic.

    1. The article effectively highlights the potential impact of lifestyle and behavioral choices on the health of short-term memory. Great read.

  3. The section about the connection between the prefrontal cortex and short-term memory is enlightening and offers a deeper understanding of brain functioning.

    1. Agreed, the explanation of how short-term memory transforms into long-term memory through various methods is intellectually enriching.

    2. Understanding the impact of such advanced scientific research on our understanding of short-term memory is truly enlightening.

  4. Avatar of Philip Saunders
    Philip Saunders

    The connection of short-term memory characteristics to various health conditions is a noteworthy aspect that deserves attention.

    1. The conclusion draws attention to the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for optimal functioning of short-term memory. Vital information.

  5. This article has opened a new perspective on the importance of short-term memory and the potential health implications of memory-related conditions.

    1. The reference material provided adds credibility to the insights shared in the article. Exceptionally well-researched.

  6. The article is highly informative and has shed light on the process of memory storage in the brain.

    1. Indeed, the details about the neural areas involved in short-term memory and its transformation to long-term memory are fascinating.

    2. The scientific explanations provided are quite intriguing and make the article a worthwhile read.

  7. This article efficiently describes the working of short-term memory and its importance. The reference also seems quite reliable.

    1. I agree, the information provided is clear and concise and helps to understand the working of short-term memory.

  8. The insights into the distinction between short-term and working memory are thought-provoking and contribute to a comprehensive understanding.

    1. The article’s coverage of the differences between short-term and working memory is both educational and engaging.

  9. The comprehensive coverage of the working and impact of short-term memory on daily life activities is highly informative and captivating.

    1. The insights shared in the article provide valuable knowledge about the significance and functioning of short-term memory in our lives.

  10. The explanation about the time limit of short-term memory and its encoding process is well articulated in the article.

    1. I found the details about the encoding of short-term memory through acoustic means to be particularly intriguing.

    2. The article does an excellent job in elucidating how short-term memory operates and the neural aspects associated with it.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *