Final answer:
The average capacity of short-term memory is often cited as 7 plus or minus 2 items, but recent research suggests it might be closer to 4 plus or minus 1. STM is critical for processing and holding information temporarily before it is either discarded or stored in long-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average number of bits of information that short-term memory can usually handle is known as the 'magic number,' which was originally proposed by George Miller in 1956. According to his research, short-term memory (STM) can retain between 5 and 9 items, suggesting an average capacity of 7 ± 2. However, contemporary research by Cowan in 2010 has adjusted this number to 4 ± 1 bits of information. It’s also noted that short-term memory performs better with acoustic encoding, such as remembering numbers heard out loud, compared to visual encoding, such as images seen.
Short-term memory has a finite capacity and is responsible for the temporary holding and processing of information. It is in STM that information is either discarded or transferred to long-term memory for more permanent storage. Understanding the capacity of short-term memory is essential for developing effective memory strategies and can help in various fields, including education and cognitive science.