Definition
The stage of memory that holds a small amount of information in conscious awareness for a brief period—typically around 30 seconds—unless it is actively rehearsed or transferred into long-term memory. It has limited capacity (commonly cited as roughly seven items, plus or minus two) and is used for immediate processing of information such as a clearance just received or a frequency just read.
Plain English
It is the part of memory that holds information for a short time right after you hear or see it, like a number you just looked up. If you do not repeat it or use it quickly, it fades.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instruction when discussing how students learn, remember, and handle information during training or cockpit tasks.
Derivation
“Short-term” means lasting for a short time. “Memory” comes from older Latin roots meaning mindful or remembering. Together, the phrase points to information the mind keeps only briefly, not information that has become lasting knowledge.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors must limit the number of new items presented at once so students do not lose critical details before they can be practiced or recorded.
Analogy
Think of it like a small whiteboard in your head. You can jot a few things on it, but if you do not copy them somewhere permanent, they get wiped clean within seconds.
Grounding Statement
If a controller gives you a frequency and you do not repeat it, write it down, or use it soon, it may disappear from short-term memory.
Intuition Check
Do not assume short-term memory means weak memory or careless remembering. It means temporary storage for immediate use, and it has normal limits for everyone.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor kept clearances short because a long string of instructions can overload a student's short-term memory.
Example Sentence 2
After hearing the new radio frequency, the student repeated it aloud to hold it in short-term memory until it was dialed into the comm radio.