By Russell Huebsch – Updated March 24, 2022
Neuroscience research shows that memory is built through the formation of new synaptic connections—linking neurons when we learn. The brain stores this information in either short‑term or long‑term memory systems.
Short‑term memory holds information only for a few minutes—think of a phone number you just dialed. Long‑term memory preserves data for years, such as the skill of using a telephone.
In 1885, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus published the first scientific study distinguishing short‑ and long‑term memory. By testing recall of nonsensical syllables over a month, he demonstrated that repeated rehearsal is essential for durable memory.
Neuroscientists at the University of California, Irvine have documented extreme memory phenotypes. One participant could recall every detail of her life, while another could only retrieve his most recent thought.
While short‑ and long‑term memory often work together, the dual‑store theory suggests they operate as distinct stages. For example, recognizing a phone number quickly may rely on similarity to a familiar number stored in long‑term memory.
Because short‑term memory is fragile, educators advise against cramming. A study in “Memory: The Key to Consciousness” by USC neuroscientists Richard Thompson and Stephen Madigan found that students who crammed retained only about 30 % of material a week later, whereas those who spread study sessions remembered roughly 80 %.
