Short-term memory is a type of memory that allows us to hold and process a small amount of information for a brief period, usually around 20 to 30 seconds. It helps us remember things like a phone number just long enough to dial it or the ingredients in a recipe while cooking. This memory system is essential for everyday tasks and decision-making. Unlike long-term memory, which stores information for extended periods, short-term memory has a limited capacity, often described as being able to hold about 7±2 items at once. This means we can only juggle a few pieces of information before we need to either forget or transfer them to long-term memory for later use.