Short-term memory has several key characteristics and limitations, especially when it comes to interruptions:
1. Limited capacity: Short-term memory can typically hold only about 7 (+/- 2) items at a time. This limited capacity makes it vulnerable to disruption when new information is introduced.
2. Short duration: Information in short-term memory typically lasts only about 20-30 seconds unless it is actively rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory. Interruptions can easily disrupt this process.
3. Susceptibility to interference: Short-term memory is highly susceptible to interference from similar information or distractions. When interrupted, the contents of short-term memory can be quickly displaced or forgotten.
4. Attention-dependent: Maintaining information in short-term memory requires active attention. Interruptions divert attention away from the information being held, leading to rapid forgetting.
5. Fragility of encoding: The process of encoding information into short-term memory is easily disrupted. Interruptions during this critical phase can prevent proper encoding altogether.
6. Rehearsal disruption: People often use mental rehearsal to keep information in short-term memory. Interruptions break this rehearsal process, causing rapid decay of the held information.
7. Context-dependent recall: Short-term memory retrieval often relies on the mental context present during encoding. Interruptions can change this context, making it harder to recall the original information.
8. Limited processing: Short-term memory has limited processing capabilities. Complex interruptions can overwhelm these resources, leading to information loss.
9. Vulnerability to stress: Interruptions can induce stress, which further impairs short-term memory function and capacity.
10. Serial position effect: Items at the beginning and end of a sequence are often better remembered than those in the middle. Interruptions can disrupt this effect, particularly for more recently presented items.
11. Modality-specific interference: Interruptions in the same modality (e.g., auditory interruptions for auditory information) tend to be more disruptive than cross-modal interruptions.
12. Task-switching costs: Switching between tasks (as caused by interruptions) incurs cognitive costs, reducing the efficiency of short-term memory operations.
To mitigate these weaknesses, strategies like chunking information, immediate rehearsal, and minimizing distractions can be employed. Additionally, quickly writing down important information or using mnemonic devices can help preserve it in the face of potential interruptions.
