How many chunks can be effectively stored in short-term memory?

The capacity of short-term memory is often described by the phrase "the magic number seven," which stems from a classic study by psychologist George A. Miller. His research suggested that the average number of items (or "chunks") that can be held in short-term memory is between five to nine, with seven being a commonly accepted figure. This means that, on average, individuals can effectively remember approximately seven chunks of information at a time.

A "chunk" refers to a diverse range of meaningful units of information, which could be individual letters, numbers, words, or even larger structures composed of smaller units. For example, when trying to remember a long sequence of numbers, grouping them into chunks can make them easier to recall, such as remembering "2023" instead of "2,0,2,3" as separate digits.

Understanding this capacity helps to explain limitations in information processing, emphasizing the need for techniques like chunking when trying to memorize larger amounts of data. This conceptual framework is crucial in various fields, including cognitive psychology, education, and information technology, highlighting cognitive load and memory strategies.