Sensory memories

Definition

Sensory memories refer to the brief and temporary storage of sensory information in our memory system. They help us perceive the world around us by holding onto sensory stimuli for a very short time (less than a second).

Related terms

Iconic Memory:

Iconic memory is a type of sensory memory that specifically stores visual information for a fraction of a second before it fades away.

Echoic Memory:

Echoic memory is another type of sensory memory that temporarily holds auditory information, such as sounds or words, for a few seconds before they disappear.

Selective Attention:

Selective attention refers to our ability to focus on certain stimuli while ignoring others. It plays an important role in determining which sensory information gets transferred from sensory memory into short-term memory during encoding.