October 18, 2010 at 6:51 pm

What is Short Term Memory?

Our mind is such an amazing thing, so amazing that computers only work due to the fact that they were designed to work similarly to how the human mind works. A computer handles its memory exactly how a human brain handles it. This is why it is easier to explain what short term memory is by using the modern computer as an example especially since most people have a comprehensive understanding of computers.

It may seem quite ironic that most people know more about a computer’s hard drive and software than the human mind itself but it makes for a great way to explain such complex topics like short term memory.
A computer has two types of memory storage devices, one is the Random Access Memory or RAM and the other is its hard drive. In this case, the RAM can be related to a human being’s short term memory. Basically, RAM is used to store data that is going to be erased when it is no longer needed. A good example of the usage of the RAM is when you are watching a YouTube video. The video that you are watching is not saved into your computer’s hard drive but you can watch it since it is temporarily stored into the RAM. The data is then deleted after a short period of time. This process also happens in the human mind.

Everything we experience is stored in our short term memory first and if that memory isn’t turned into long term memory then we won’t be able to remember anything after a set period of time.

One of the strongets benefits of the Procera AVH is its great positive effect on the short term memory.
In the case of computers, humans choose which files can be saved into the hard drive. However, this is not the same situation when it comes to the mind. The brain automatically turns important experiences to long term memory. This means that the memories that impact our lives the most will most likely be remembered for a long time while experiences that are less significant are quickly forgotten. This doesn’t mean that humans have no control over the storage of long term memory.

 

In fact, people learn how to memorize important information at a young age due to schooling. Repetition is one way to memorize something although it may not be as effective as the alternative. Most students repeat the data that they are studying in order to store that information in our long term memory. However, it is far more efficient to associate the things you want to memorize to memories that have more impact to you. This fools the brain into thinking that the information you want to memorize is important because of association.
Like the computers RAM, the human mind has a limit on how much information it can store in its short term memory. The exact measurement is debated upon by a lot of scientists. There are some that imply that the human mind can store up to seven chunks of information before the brain starts deleting information while there are some scientists that say that the brain’s limit is only four. Whoever among them is correct, it is advisable to write down good ideas as to not risk getting them deleted by your brain.

 

Incoming search terms:

  • short term memory storage devices

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Back to top