Sperling’s Sensory Memory theory

Definition

Sperling's Sensory Memory theory is a model that explains how sensory information is briefly stored in memory. It proposes that the visual system can momentarily hold a large amount of information, but only a fraction of it can be transferred to short-term memory.

Related terms

Iconic Memory:

Iconic memory refers to the brief visual impressions or images that are held in sensory memory. It lasts for about half a second before fading away.

Echoic Memory:

Echoic memory refers to the brief auditory impressions or sounds that are held in sensory memory. It allows us to recall what was said even if our attention was momentarily elsewhere.

Short-Term Memory: Short-term memory is where information is temporarily stored and actively processed for immediate use. It has limited capacity and duration unless rehearsed or encoded into long-term memory.