Final answer:
Our working memory can typically recall 7-9 pieces of information at a time, as per George Miller's 1956 research. This is often summed up as 'the magic number 7 plus or minus 2', although more recent research suggests the number might be closer to 4 plus or minus 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to researchers, our working memory can typically recall 7-9 pieces of information at a time. In 1956, psychologist George Miller conducted a review of short-term memory research, which suggested that people have the capacity to remember about 7 items, plus or minus 2. This has widely been referred to as Miller's Law. However, more recent studies, including research by Cowan in 2010, indicates that a more accurate capacity estimation for working memory could be 4 plus or minus 1.
Working memory is essential for retaining information actively for a brief period, roughly 15 to 30 seconds, before it is either transferred to long-term memory or discarded. It has also been noted that people tend to remember numbers better than letters, and auditory information over visual information.
Understanding the limits of our working memory can assist in educational and cognitive strategies, as well as explain why we sometimes forget pieces of information soon after we encounter them. It's interesting to note that some variations exist, with memory for numbers typically stronger than for letters, and auditory information often more readily retained than visual information.