Kurzzeitgedächtnis

Kurzzeitgedächtnis, often translated as short-term memory, refers to the capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a short period. It is a temporary storage system that allows us to process and manipulate information in the immediate present. Think of it as the brain's scratchpad, where ideas, numbers, or sensations are held briefly to be used for current tasks.

The capacity of short-term memory is generally considered to be limited, often cited as around seven plus or minus two items, though this can vary. The duration of information held in short-term memory without active rehearsal is also quite brief, typically lasting only a matter of seconds to a minute. Without further processing, such as through rehearsal or encoding into long-term memory, information held in short-term memory will fade.

Short-term memory plays a crucial role in everyday activities such as following conversations, remembering phone numbers just long enough to dial them, or performing mental arithmetic. It is distinct from long-term memory, which is a more permanent and extensive storage system for knowledge and experiences. However, short-term memory is essential for the transfer of information from sensory input into long-term memory.