Understanding Short Term and Working Memory: Now It May Make “Cents”
The term “working memory” is often used synonymously with “short-term memory.” Short-term memory is sometimes called “primary memory” or “active memory.” Both working memory and short-term memory are distinguished from long-term memory. Whether or not the synonymous usage of short-term memory and working memory is an accurate one, depends upon how the terms are defined. Regardless, both can be, and often are, implicated by traumatic brain injuries, traumatic brain injuries, mild brain injuries, strokes and a variety of neurological injuries.
Short-term memory is the ability to retain a small quantity of information within one’s mind for a short period of time. Its significance is to make the information available to the individual during that period. This “availability” is a rote mnemonic function, meaning it does not involve the manipulation of the data. A prominent psychologist, George Miller, theorized that on average, the number of items of information that can be maintained in short-term memory for immediate recall is “7 plus or minus 2”[1]. His study and conclusion have become legend in psychology, and the numerical value cited by him, (7 plus or minus 2) has, in fact become the name of the theory.
Within the scope of the independent evaluation conducted on all clients of NeuLife, in order to develop his or her Client Goal Plan, is his/her short-term memory. If a cognitive deficit is found to exist in this respect, NeuLife’s multidisciplinary team of RNs, neuropsychologists and other medical professionals employ cognitive therapy and other clinically relevant services to rehabilitate the client to the fullest extent possible and to ensure the best possible outcome.
Working memory is different and more complex. Working memory refers to processes within the brain that not only store information (like short-term memory does), but also manipulate the information so that it can be used in a way other than by sheer repetition. It allows individuals to perform tasks. The term was coined in the 1960’s and likened this aspect of short term memory to the operation of computers; not just storing and regurgitating data, but also transmogrifying [altering] it into different forms, categorizations and uses[2].
Deficits in working memory are not necessarily quickly discernible after a traumatic brain injury, even after neurorehabilitation and other therapies. This is because individuals may initially perform well on standard neuropsychological tests. Individuals with working memory deficits often have difficulty in performing dual tasks. These can include keeping track of time passing while performing unrelated tasks. This is one of the many types of independent evaluations that NeuLife conducts as part of the development of each client’s customized Client Goal Plan. Depending on the outcome of the comprehensive evaluation, NeuLife incorporates rehabilitation for assisting the client in reaching goals.
Another very common and disconcerting (for the client) example in everyday life is that of counting money, making change or balancing a cash register. An individual needs to recognize denominations of bills and coins, tally totals of each category of bills and coins, tally aggregate totals and count backward to make change. Particularly in an environment in which other stimuli are present, such as noise or conversation, execution of a task like this which for some might be considered to be so simple as to be an activity of daily living, becomes nearly impossible. The post-acute rehabilitation provided at NeuLife encompasses myriad therapies designed to advance each client toward independence to the fullest extent of his/her physical and psychological capabilities. Over time, challenges that seemed to be mountains become hills.
Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.
NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as foals to achieve function and independence.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is a fully accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
[1] The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information, George A. Miller (1956), Harvard University, First Published in Psychological Review, 63-81-97
[2] Pribram, Karl H.; Miller, George A.; Galanter, Eugene (1960). Plans and the structure of behavior. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. p. 65. ISBN 0-03-010075-5.OCLC 190675.
