Final answer:
Short-term memory (STM) is a temporary storage system that processes incoming sensory memory and holds information before it is stored or forgotten. While STM is related to working memory, they are distinct concepts. Sensory memory is a very brief storage for sensory information, which, if important, is transferred to STM and possibly long-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Short-term memory (STM) is a temporary storage system that processes incoming sensory memory, holding about seven bits of information before it is either forgotten or stored. This system is sometimes referred to as working memory, although they are not precisely the same. STM is a component of working memory, which is a more complex system that involves manipulation of information as opposed to merely holding it. Sensory memory involves the storage of brief sensory events, such as sights, sounds, and tastes, which last up to a couple of seconds. Information from sensory memory that is deemed valuable can move into STM where it can then be connected to previous knowledge or moved further into long-term memory for permanent storage if rehearsed.
In the Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory, environmental stimuli first interact with sensory memory and then can be transferred to STM for further processing. Moreover, Baddeley and Hitch's working memory model posits that STM can take different forms, such as visual-spatial information and phonological information, and these are managed by a central executive which aids in transferring information into long-term memory. Memory is often compared to a computer in that information is encoded, stored, and retrieved in a manner similar to computer processing.