Sensory Memory

Definition

Sensory memory is the initial, immediate memory of sensory information. It is the first stage of memory that briefly stores information from the senses, including sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, before it is processed further or forgotten. Sensory memory is critical for perceiving and understanding the world around us.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sensory memory is an essential first step in the memory process, as it allows us to briefly hold on to sensory information before it is lost or transferred to short-term memory.
2. The duration of sensory memory varies by the sense, with iconic memory lasting about a quarter of a second and echoic memory lasting up to several seconds.
3. Sensory memory is an automatic, passive process that does not require conscious effort, unlike the more active processes of short-term and long-term memory.
4. Factors like attention and stimulus intensity can influence the strength and duration of sensory memory, with more attention and stronger stimuli leading to longer-lasting sensory memories.
5. Disruptions to sensory memory, such as in certain neurological conditions, can impair an individual's ability to accurately perceive and process information from the environment.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of sensory memory in the overall memory process.
  • Sensory memory is the initial stage of memory, where information from the senses is briefly stored before it is either forgotten or transferred to short-term memory for further processing. It allows us to hold onto sensory information for a brief moment, which is crucial for perceiving and understanding the world around us. Without sensory memory, we would be unable to integrate the continuous flow of sensory input into a coherent experience.
• Describe the differences between iconic memory and echoic memory, and how they relate to sensory memory.
  • Iconic memory and echoic memory are the visual and auditory components of sensory memory, respectively. Iconic memory briefly stores visual information, lasting for a fraction of a second, while echoic memory briefly stores auditory information, lasting for a few seconds. These differences in duration reflect the varying processing requirements of the different senses. Together, iconic and echoic memory form the foundation of sensory memory, allowing us to perceive and make sense of the visual and auditory information in our environment.
• Analyze how factors like attention and stimulus intensity can influence the strength and duration of sensory memory.
  • The strength and duration of sensory memory can be influenced by factors such as attention and stimulus intensity. When we pay close attention to a stimulus, the sensory memory of that information is strengthened and lasts longer. Conversely, if our attention is divided or the stimulus is weak, the sensory memory will be more fleeting. Stimulus intensity also plays a role, as stronger, more salient stimuli tend to be encoded more effectively in sensory memory compared to weaker or more subtle stimuli. These factors highlight the dynamic and flexible nature of sensory memory, as it adapts to the demands of the immediate environment and our cognitive focus.

Related terms

Iconic Memory: The brief storage of visual information, which lasts for a fraction of a second after an image has been perceived.

Echoic Memory: The brief storage of auditory information, which lasts for a few seconds after a sound has been heard.

Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for a short period of time, building upon the information stored in sensory memory.