Short term memory, also known as working memory in AP Psychology, is a cognitive system that temporarily stores and manipulates information. It plays a crucial role in various mental processes, including attention, decision-making, and reasoning. Short term memory capacity is limited, typically holding about 7 pieces of information at a time, and has a duration of approximately 20 seconds.
Structure of Short-Term Memory
Short-term memory (STM), also known as working memory, is a cognitive system that stores a limited amount of information for a short period. The duration of STM is typically between 5 to 30 seconds, and it can store around 5-9 items at any given time.
Components of STM
STM consists of three main components:
- Phonological loop: Stores verbal information (e.g., words, numbers) in a sequential manner.
- Visuospatial sketchpad: Stores visual information (e.g., images, patterns) and spatial relationships.
- Central executive: Controls attention, directs information flow, and integrates information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.
Structure of STM
- Sensory registers: The initial stage where sensory information (e.g., visual, auditory) is briefly stored.
- Working memory: The active system that stores and manipulates information for a short period.
- Long-term memory: The permanent storage of information.
Information is transferred from sensory registers to working memory for further processing and manipulation. If necessary, information can also be transferred to long-term memory for future retrieval.
STM Capacity
- The capacity of STM is limited to around 5-9 items.
- The capacity can vary depending on factors such as:
- Similarity of items
- Rehearsal of items
- Interference from other information
Decay and Interference
- Information in STM decays over time if it is not actively rehearsed.
- Interference from other information can also cause information in STM to be lost.
Chunking
- Chunking is a strategy that can increase the capacity of STM.
- Chunking involves grouping information into meaningful units.
- For example, instead of remembering a phone number as 10 individual digits, it can be chunked into (xxx)xxx-xxxx format.
Question 1:
What is the definition of short-term memory in AP Psychology?
Answer:
Short-term memory (STM), also known as working memory, is the temporary retention of information for immediate use or processing.
Question 2:
How does short-term memory differ from long-term memory?
Answer:
Short-term memory has a limited capacity (7 +/- 2 chunks of information) and a brief duration (approximately 20 seconds), while long-term memory has a virtually unlimited capacity and can store information indefinitely.
Question 3:
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in short-term memory?
Answer:
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for controlling attention, planning, and decision-making, which are essential functions for managing short-term memory.
Thanks for sticking with me through this quick dive into short-term memory. I hope it’s helped clear things up and given you a better understanding of how this fascinating part of your mind works. If you’ve got any more questions, feel free to drop by again. I’ll be here, patiently waiting to unravel the mysteries of the mind with you. Until then, keep learning, keep exploring, and keep expanding your knowledge horizons!