Introduction

The memory it is a process cognitive that allows us to remember information and experiences. Although often considered as a unitary whole, memory is divided into several distinct processes. In this article, we will discuss the difference between short-term memory and long-term memory.

What is short term memory?

Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is the system that allows us to hold information in our mind for a short period of time. For example, if someone gives you a phone number to write down, you will store it in short-term memory until you can write it down on paper or record it on your phone.

Short-term memory has a limited capacity and can retain information for a few seconds or minutes. It is very susceptible to distraction and forgetfulness if information is not properly paid attention to.

What is long term memory?

Long-term memory is the memory system that allows us to store information for a longer period of time. Information stored in long-term memory can be accessed after months or even years.

Long-term memory has a much greater capacity than short-term memory, which means that We can store an almost unlimited amount of information. However, this information can be difficult to access if it is not actively retrieved.

Differences between short-term memory and long-term memory

• Capacity: Short-term memory has a limited capacity, while long-term memory has an almost unlimited capacity.
• Duration: Short-term memory retains information for a short period of time (seconds to minutes), while long-term memory retains information for months or even years.
• Forgetting: Short-term memory is very susceptible to forgetting or distraction, while long-term memory is less susceptible to these factors.
• Access: Information stored in short-term memory is easily accessible, while information stored in long-term memory may be difficult to access if not actively retrieved.

Conclusion

Memory is a fundamental cognitive process that allows us to remember information and experiences. Memory is divided into several different processes, including short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory allows us to hold information in our mind for a short period of time, while long-term memory allows us to store information for a longer period of time. It is important to understand the differences between these two types of memory to improve our ability to retain and access information.

You may also be interested in this related content:

• Difference between psychology and psychiatry
• Difference between bullying and mobbing
• Difference between habit and custom