Which type of memory is limited to a small amount of data and decays quickly unless transferred?

The characteristic of memory that is limited in capacity and decays quickly unless the information is actively maintained or transferred to long-term storage aligns with the concept of short-term memory. Short-term memory typically holds a small amount of information, usually around seven items, for a brief period, which can range from a few seconds to a minute without rehearsal.

While working memory is often considered in the context of actively manipulating information for tasks, such as reasoning or learning, it is still a component of the broader category of short-term memory. It allows individuals to hold and process information in the moment, making it crucial for cognitive tasks. In this case, both short-term and working memory play roles in retaining information temporarily, but the key distinction lies in their functional aspects.

Ultimately, short-term memory serves to temporarily store information before it decays unless strategies like rehearsal or transfer to long-term memory are utilized. The other types of memory mentioned, such as declarative and procedural memory, relate to more permanent storage and retrieval of knowledge—declarative memory focuses on facts and events, while procedural memory pertains to skills and actions.