Our figure of the month

Number of the month 7

The average human short-term memory can only process and store a certain amount of information at any one time. This is a fundamental concept in learning and cognitive psychology, which was developed by George A. Miller.

How does the concept work?

According to George A. Miller, the limited capacity for information units is 7±2. This is why 7 is also referred to as ‘Miller’s number’. The key point here is that the capacity of short-term memory cannot be increased. So if the number of information units is exceeded, the average person cannot retain everything.

How can you apply this concept?

In presentations, PowerPoint slides should not contain more than seven points
Learning content should ideally be divided into seven steps
Headings on websites should be limited to seven
Summary lists, organisational structures or the presentation of complex issues should not exceed a maximum of seven points

“Taking a break is the most underrated factor in productivity.”
K. Wolf

Historical background

In 1956, the psychologist George A. Miller published an article on how much information an average person can hold in their short-term memory. He was not the first to explore this topic, as John Locke had also discovered the so-called ‘Seven Phenomenon’ some 300 years earlier.

A small number, a big impact

The number seven not only highlights the limits of our memory, but also reminds us that humans are not naturally designed to remember everything. If we consciously draw on this knowledge and apply it in our daily lives, it can have a surprisingly significant impact.

Source:

Ryte Wiki: Die Millersche Zahl

Curiosity aroused? Here you can find more from the Thinking ahead section:

Bird's eye view of two women walking on a pavement

One-to-one with ...

How do designers find the right inspiration? What makes good design? These are all questions that interest us. We want to find answers to all of these questions. But we also go beyond the design process and ask even more questions. That’s why we meet with experts from a wide range of industries for discussions.