Short-term memory holds a small amount of information in active awareness for a brief period—typically seconds to a minute unless the material is rehearsed. The classic capacity estimate is seven plus or minus two items, though the true limit depends on the nature of the material and on whether items can be chunked into larger units.

Information in short-term memory is fragile. A brief distraction is often enough to erase it. Maintenance rehearsal—simple repetition—can keep material active, but does little to transfer it into long-term storage. Elaborative processes that link new items to existing knowledge are far more effective for lasting retention.

Contemporary models often replace the older short-term memory concept with working memory, which emphasizes active manipulation rather than passive storage. Still, the basic observation remains: only a limited amount of information can be held in the focus of attention at once.

• Limited capacity
• Brief duration without rehearsal
• Vulnerable to interference
• Gateway to longer-term storage

Everyday examples include remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it or holding the beginning of a sentence in mind while reading the end.