As a cognitive psychologist, I specialize in the intricacies of human memory and its various forms. Memory loss, or amnesia, is a condition that can affect both short-term and long-term memory, but it's important to clarify the different time frames involved in these categories.

When we talk about short-term memory loss, we're referring to the inability to retain information for a brief period of time. This type of memory is also known as working memory and is responsible for holding onto information that is currently being processed. It's the memory that allows you to remember a phone number long enough to dial it, for instance.

The duration of short-term memory is quite limited. It typically lasts for about 15-30 seconds, although this can vary from person to person. After this period, if the information is not rehearsed or transferred into long-term memory, it is often lost. This is why short-term memory is sometimes described as being quite volatile.

However, the concept of short-term memory loss can be more complex than just a matter of seconds. There are different types of short-term memory impairments:


1. Acute: This is a sudden and temporary loss of short-term memory, often due to a specific event like a head injury, a stroke, or a reaction to certain medications.


2. Transient: This type of memory loss is brief and may occur due to stress, fatigue, or other temporary factors.


3. Chronic: This refers to a more persistent and longer-lasting impairment of short-term memory, which could be a symptom of an underlying neurological condition like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

In terms of treatment and recovery, the duration of short-term memory loss can vary greatly. For acute and transient cases, memory function may return to normal once the precipitating event or condition is addressed. For chronic cases, the duration is less predictable and may require ongoing management and support.

It's also worth noting that the concept of short-term memory is just one aspect of a larger cognitive framework. Memory is not a single entity but a collection of interrelated systems that work together to encode, store, and retrieve information.

In conclusion, while the typical duration of short-term memory is measured in seconds to a minute or two, the experience of short-term memory loss can last from moments to much longer periods, depending on the cause and the individual's cognitive resilience.

read more >>

In general, when anyone refers to memory loss (formally known as amnesia), they are actually talking about long-term memory. So, cognitive psychologists divide memory into the first 15-30 seconds, and they call this short-term memory, and alllllll the rest of memory that lasts beyond 30 seconds is long-term memory.Apr 11, 2017read more >>