Editing Short-term memory (section)

{{Short description|Memory used for information that only needs to be stored for a short time}}
{{distinguish|working memory}}
'''Short-term memory ''' (or "'''primary'''" or "'''active memory'''") is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a short interval. For example, short-term memory holds a phone number that has just been recited. The duration of short-term [[memory]] (absent rehearsal or active maintenance) is estimated to be on the order of seconds. The commonly cited capacity of 7 items, found in [[Miller's Law]], has been superseded by 4±1 items.<ref>Cowan (2001)</ref> In contrast, [[long-term memory]] holds information indefinitely.

Short-term memory is not the same as [[working memory]], which refers to structures and processes used for temporarily storing and manipulating information.
{{toclimit|3}}