Probability Theory Predicts That Chunking into Groups of Three or Four Items Increases the Short-Term Memory Capacity

• 作者: Motohisa Osaka
• 来源期刊: 应用数学(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: SHORT-TERM Memory CHUNKING PROBABILISTIC Model CREDIT Card Number
• 年，卷（期）: 2014,（10）
• 页码范围: 1474-1484
• 页数: 11页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

Short-term memory allows individuals to recall stimuli, such as numbers or words, for several seconds to several minutes without rehearsal. Although the capacity of short-term memory is considered to be 7 &#177?2 items, this can be increased through a process called chunking. For example, in Japan, 11-digit cellular phone numbers and 10-digit toll free numbers are chunked into three groups of three or four digits: 090-XXXX-XXXX and 0120-XXX-XXX, respectively. We use probability theory to predict that the most effective chunking involves groups of three or four items, such as in phone numbers. However, a 16-digit credit card number exceeds the capacity of short-term memory, even when chunked into groups of four digits, such as XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. Based on these data, 16-digit credit card numbers should be sufficient for security purposes.