Millers Magic Number is a concept most designers understand and use while designing information systems for users. It is usually goes like this:

The Magic number 7 (plus or minus two) provides evidence for the capacity of short-term memory. Most adults can store between 5 and 9 items in their short-term memory. This idea was put forward by Miller(1956) and he called it the magic number 7.

But, The "Millers Magic Number" is a debunked hoax, thanks to Psychologist Alan Baddeley's groundbreaking work in 1994. The real magic number? Four.

I used to believe in Miller's magic number of 7. I incorporated it into my lectures and work. This mindset shift applies not just to UI, but our entire design process. Question and challenge everything.

How did Baddeley shatter the myth?
Baddley uncovered Miller's revelation: his paper was not actual research, but a thought-provoking talk he delivered at a professional gathering. It revolved around the concept of an inherent limit to how much information our brains can handle at once.

Baddeley conducted a long series of studies on human memory and information processing. Others, including Nelson Cowan, followed in his footsteps. (Read the paper ↗)

What does this mean to us?

• Question popular wisdom, laws, and common thoughts, that conventional teachings we gain from podcasts and more. Break free from one-sided thinking.

• Embrace a multifaceted approach to avoid a single perspective.

Let's create experiences that genuinely serve our users.