Final answer:
Short-term memories are described as a temporary storage system for information before it is either forgotten, stored, or actively used; this process is influenced by memory decay and interference. Sensory memory feeds into short-term memory and can lead to long-term memory with effective encoding strategies. Factors like suggestibility can introduce inaccuracies, while visual encoding and mnemonic devices enhance memory retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
For centuries, thinkers have described our short-term memories as a storage system that holds about seven bits of information before it is forgotten or stored, and retrieves information that is currently being used. Short-term memory is a key component of working memory, serving as a temporary holding area for information being processed. This information can originate from sensory input, like sights and sounds, which are part of sensory memory, and is usually retained for 15 to 30 seconds in short-term memory before it is either transferred to long-term memory or discarded.
The transition from short-term to long-term memory involves storage creation, which is the development of a permanent record of information. Memory-enhancing strategies can help ensure that information moves from short-term to long-term memory effectively.
However, short-term memory can also be influenced by factors like memory trace decay, which refers to the gradual fading of memory over time, and interference, such as when previously learned information disrupts the recall of new information. The accuracy of memories can also be compromised by suggestibility, leading to the creation of false memories. To improve the retention of information, mnemonic devices and visual encoding can be beneficial, helping to organize and encode information more effectively.