Short-term memory (STM) is the ability to rapidly form neural connections, store information briefly in an active state, and recall information for a very brief period, often only seconds.
Long-term memory (LTM) is the ability to store information for an extended period, which can range widely in duration, but frequently for a lifetime.
Memory has been identified as one of the most important biological functions, necessary for survival as its function allows individuals to not only retain information but also recall it at a later time (Bisaz et al. 2014). The ability to do this is based on two different forms of information processing (Preston and Eichenbaum 2013). The first occurs during learning and requires the brain to form neural connections of that experience rapidly (Preston and Eichenbaum 2013). The second requires our brain to consolidate these connections and organize them in a way that allows for retrieval at a later.
