Which type of memory is described as lasting from a few seconds to several hours?

Short-term memory is characterized by the ability to hold information for a limited duration, typically ranging from a few seconds to several hours. This type of memory allows individuals to retain information temporarily, making it essential for everyday tasks such as remembering a phone number after dialing it or keeping track of the items in a short shopping list. The capacity of short-term memory is also relatively small, typically limited to about seven items or chunks of information.

This type of memory plays a crucial role in processing information and transferring it to long-term memory through rehearsal and encoding. Unlike long-term memory, which can store information for a substantially longer duration, short-term memory serves more as a temporary workspace for information before it is either forgotten or consolidated into long-term storage.

In contrast, immediate memory refers to very brief retention of information, often mere seconds, while working memory involves the manipulation and processing of information held in short-term memory. Long-term memory allows for the long-lasting storage of information, usually for days, years, or even a lifetime, differentiating it from the short duration of short-term memory.