Which memory type specifically lasts for a brief period before fading?

Short-term memory is characterized by its ability to hold information for a limited duration, typically around 15 to 30 seconds, before that information begins to fade or is lost. This type of memory allows individuals to temporarily store and manage information that is actively being used, such as remembering a phone number briefly until it can be written down.

While working memory involves manipulation and processing of information over that short time frame, short-term memory itself focuses on the brief retention of information without the active management component. Long-term memory stores information for extended periods, and sensory memory captures fleeting, raw sensory impressions for a very short duration, typically lasting only a fraction of a second. Thus, short-term memory is the most accurate choice when discussing a memory type that lasts only for a brief period before fading.