miller's law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “miller's law” mean?
A principle in cognitive psychology stating that the average person can hold about seven (plus or minus two) items in their working memory.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A principle in cognitive psychology stating that the average person can hold about seven (plus or minus two) items in their working memory.
The concept is often cited in discussions of human memory capacity, user interface design, information presentation, and communication effectiveness. It highlights a fundamental limitation in concurrent conscious processing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, as it is a technical term. Spelling follows the originator's name (Miller).
Connotations
Carries connotations of scientific authority, cognitive limits, and design constraints.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard in psychology, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction literature.
Grammar
How to Use “miller's law” in a Sentence
[Subject] demonstrates/obeys/violates Miller's Law.According to Miller's Law, [clause].Miller's Law suggests/posits/states that [clause].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miller's law” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Miller's-Law-compliant design
- a Miller's-Law-style analysis
American English
- Miller's Law-compliant design
- a Miller's Law-style analysis
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in presentations to justify simplifying product features or marketing messages to avoid overwhelming customers.
Academic
Core concept in psychology papers and textbooks on memory and cognition.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation except in metaphorical reference to information overload.
Technical
Fundamental in UX/UI design guidelines, instructional design, and communication theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miller's law”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miller's law”
- Calling it 'Miller Law' (missing possessive), Confusing it with 'Miller's Rule' in optics, Using it to refer to long-term memory limits.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the principle is 'seven, plus or minus two,' indicating a typical range of 5 to 9 items.
No, it specifically refers to the capacity of short-term or working memory, not long-term storage.
It was formulated by the American cognitive psychologist George A. Miller in his 1956 paper 'The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two.'
Chunking is a strategy to overcome the limit. By grouping individual items into meaningful 'chunks,' one can effectively remember more information within the 7±2 slot limit.
A principle in cognitive psychology stating that the average person can hold about seven (plus or minus two) items in their working memory.
Miller's law is usually academic/technical in register.
Miller's law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪləz lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlɚz lɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a miller grinding grain; he can only handle about seven handfuls (plus or minus two) at a time in his mill.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER WITH LIMITED CAPACITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which field was Miller's Law originally formulated?