<P> Short - term memory ( or `` primary '' or `` active memory '' ) is the capacity for holding , but not manipulating , a small amount of information in mind in an active , readily available state for a short period of time . The duration of short - term memory ( when rehearsal or active maintenance is prevented ) is believed to be in the order of seconds . The most commonly cited capacity is The Magical Number Seven , Plus or Minus Two ( which is frequently referred to as Miller 's Law ) , despite the fact that Miller himself stated that the figure was intended as `` little more than a joke '' ( Miller , 1989 , page 401 ) and that Cowan ( 2001 ) provided evidence that a more realistic figure is 4 ± 1 units . In contrast , long - term memory can hold an indefinite amount of information . </P>
<P> Short - term memory ( or `` primary '' or `` active memory '' ) is the capacity for holding , but not manipulating , a small amount of information in mind in an active , readily available state for a short period of time . The duration of short - term memory ( when rehearsal or active maintenance is prevented ) is believed to be in the order of seconds . The most commonly cited capacity is The Magical Number Seven , Plus or Minus Two ( which is frequently referred to as Miller 's Law ) , despite the fact that Miller himself stated that the figure was intended as `` little more than a joke '' ( Miller , 1989 , page 401 ) and that Cowan ( 2001 ) provided evidence that a more realistic figure is 4 ± 1 units . In contrast , long - term memory can hold an indefinite amount of information . </P>
who determined the capacity of short term memory
who determined the capacity of short term memory
Cowan
Cowan