Short-term and long-term memory are two distinct types of memory that have been extensively studied by researchers. Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is the memory system that allows us to temporarily store and manipulate information. It is believed to have a limited capacity and duration, and is thought to be responsible for holding onto information long enough for it to be used or integrated with other information.
Long-term memory, on the other hand, is the memory system that stores information indefinitely. It is thought to have a virtually limitless capacity, and is believed to play a key role in our ability to learn and remember new information over the long term.
One of the key differences between short-term and long-term memory is the duration of storage. Short-term memory is thought to have a limited duration, with information typically being lost within a few seconds or minutes if it is not actively rehearsed or encoded into long-term memory. In contrast, long-term memory can store information for an extended period of time, potentially lasting a lifetime.
Another difference between the two types of memory is the capacity of storage. Short-term memory is believed to have a limited capacity, with most people able to store between 5 and 9 items at a time. In contrast, long-term memory is thought to have a virtually limitless capacity, with the amount of information that can be stored in long-term memory being limited only by the amount of information that an individual is exposed to.
There are several theories about how short-term and long-term memory work and how information is encoded and retrieved from these memory systems. One popular theory is the multi-store model of memory, which proposes that information flows through a series of stages as it is processed and stored. According to this model, information first enters the sensory memory system, which briefly stores raw sensory information. From there, it moves into short-term memory, where it can be held for a short period of time and manipulated. If the information is rehearsed or otherwise attended to, it may be transferred into long-term memory, where it can be stored indefinitely.
Overall, short-term and long-term memory are two distinct types of memory that play important roles in our ability to process and retain information. Short-term memory is responsible for temporarily holding onto information, while long-term memory is responsible for storing information over the long term. While much has been learned about these memory systems, there is still much that researchers do not yet understand about how they work and how they interact with one another.