Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is a mechanism for temporarily holding and managing information necessary for performing complex activities like learning, reasoning, and understanding. This type of memory plays a crucial role in choosing, starting, and ending processes related to encoding, storing, and retrieving information. A common method to assess recent memory is by measuring how many items, typically words or numbers, an individual can remember and recall. During a typical memory span test, an examiner recites a list of random numbers at a pace of about one number per second. After the sequence is completed, the individual is asked to recall the numbers in the correct order. For most adults, the average memory span is 7 items.
