-
Essay / Short and Long Memory - 546
The main difference between short-term memory and long-term memory is the capacity each has. According to Michael E. Martinez, the two memories work together to form the cognitive architecture or basic structure of the mind. In short-term memory, a person can only think of a few ideas at a time. One of the characteristics of short-term memory is that it has a low capacity for storing information compared to long-term memory which has a greater capacity. Information flows between short-term memory and long-term memory, depending on the direction and different types of thinking outcomes. Therefore, short-term memory and long-term memory are interconnected and provide a structure that constitutes a part of the mind. Short-term memory (STM) is the pathway to long-term memory or retention model. Also known as primary or active memory, this is the information that we are currently aware of or thinking about. Memories are stored in units called information blocks. Most of this information is held in short-term memory for about 20 to 30 seconds, but it can be shorter....