Magic Number Hypothesis

The Magic Number Hypothesis suggests that people can effectively hold about seven (plus or minus two) pieces of information in their short-term memory at once. This idea, proposed by psychologist George A. Miller in 1956, implies that our capacity for remembering items, such as phone numbers or lists, has a natural limit. When trying to remember too much, we may forget or confuse information. Understanding this can help improve how we process and organize information, making it easier to learn and recall important details in daily life.