Question

For Short Term Memory, give information on the following facts on Short Term Memory.:

1. Features

2. Functions

3. Strengths

4, Weaknesses

5. Examples

Answer 1

Short term memory is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for a short period of time.

1. Features:  

• Brief duration that can only last up to 20 seconds.
• Its capacity is limited to 7chunks of independent information
• It is vulnerable to interference and interruption

2. The main functions of short term memory are as follows:

• It is involved in the selection, initiation, and termination of information-processing functions
• The main function is encoding, retrieving information
• Holding memory

3. Strengths of short term memory:

• Short-term memory recodes information by linking new information to information already stored and available in long-term memory.
• selective attention for information in sensory memories
• Retrieval of information from STM is direct and immediate because the information has never left the conscious mind.

4. Weaknesses of short term memory:

• Short lived
• severe limitation on its capacity.
• Its encoding is mainly auditory

5. Examples:

• A hyphenated phone number, split into groups of 3 or 4 digits, tends to be easier to remember than a single long number.
• In order to understand this sentence, the beginning of the sentence needs to be held in mind while the rest is read, a task which is carried out by the short-term memory. Othe