memory span tasks

Memory span tasks are tests that measure how much information a person can hold in their short-term memory at once. Usually, they involve presenting a sequence of items—like numbers, words, or letters—and asking the person to recall them immediately after. The typical goal is to find the longest sequence someone can accurately remember and reproduce. These tasks help researchers understand how short-term memory works and its limits, which can vary between individuals and change with age or cognitive conditions.