Which type of memory is characterized by holding a limited amount of information for a short duration?

Short-term memory is characterized by its ability to hold a limited amount of information for a brief period, typically around 15 to 30 seconds. This form of memory is crucial for tasks such as remembering a phone number immediately after hearing it or during conversations where you retain relevant details temporarily.

Short-term memory has a capacity often described by George Miller's concept of "the magical number seven, plus or minus two," which suggests that individuals can hold about five to nine items in their short-term memory at once. This type of memory serves as a gateway to transferring information into long-term memory when rehearsed or encoded properly.

In contrast, other memory types like long-term memory store information for an extended period, sensory memory holds impressions of sensory information for a very brief moment before they are processed, and declarative memory specifically refers to memories of facts and events that can be consciously recalled.