In information processing, which memory system is primarily responsible for holding information for a brief period?

The memory system primarily responsible for holding information for a brief period is short-term memory. This type of memory is characterized by its limited capacity and duration, typically able to retain information for about 15 to 30 seconds without rehearsal. Short-term memory functions as a temporary storage space where information is held before it is either forgotten or transferred into long-term memory for more permanent storage.

Understanding the characteristics of short-term memory highlights its role in immediate cognitive tasks, such as remembering a phone number long enough to dial it. It is distinct from the other memory systems, such as working memory, which involves the manipulation and processing of information rather than simply holding it, and long-term memory, which is for the storage of information over extended periods. Episodic memory, a subtype of long-term memory, specifically deals with the recollection of personal experiences and events, and is not responsible for brief information retention.