Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory refers to the part of the memory that has both brief duration and limited capacity. In contrast to long-term memory, which can store an infinite amount of information over a long period of time, the storage of information in short-term memory is restricted and lasts only a few seconds in the absence of rehearsal. A recent view of short-term memory, called working memory, suggests a more active system in which information is not only stored but also processed. Working memory is a mechanism for temporarily storing and manipulating the information to perform a variety of complex cognitive tasks. Short-term memory, or working memory, is believed to play a central role in learning, reasoning, and comprehension.