Key terms Flashcards
What is short-term memory (STM)?
The limited-capacity memory store with acoustic coding, capacity of 5 to 9 items, and duration of about 18 seconds.
STM is crucial for holding information temporarily.
What is long-term memory (LTM)?
The permanent memory store with semantic coding, unlimited capacity, and can store memories for up to a lifetime.
LTM is essential for retaining knowledge and experiences over time.
What is the main type of coding in short-term memory?
Acoustic coding.
Acoustic coding involves storing information based on the sounds of the words.
What is the main type of coding in long-term memory?
Semantic coding.
Semantic coding involves storing information based on its meaning.
What is the average capacity of short-term memory?
Between 5 and 9 items.
This is often referred to as Miller’s law, which suggests that the capacity of STM is around 7 items.
What is the duration of short-term memory?
About 18 seconds.
Information in STM can fade quickly if not rehearsed.
What is the capacity of long-term memory?
Unlimited capacity.
LTM can store vast amounts of information without a known limit.
What is the duration of long-term memory?
Up to a lifetime.
Memories can be retained for many years, sometimes even for an entire lifetime.
Define coding in the context of memory.
The format in which information is stored in the various memory stores.
Different types of memory utilize different coding methods.
What does capacity refer to in memory?
The amount of information that can be held in a memory store.
Capacity varies between different types of memory.
What does duration refer to in memory?
The length of time information can be held in memory.
Duration is crucial for understanding how long information is retrievable.
