Understanding Sensory Memory: The Key to Retaining Information in Social Science.

Sensory Memory

– The entry point of memory in which the stimuli from the external environment are retained in their original sensory form for a very brief time- Capacity = UNLIMITED- Duration = 0.2 – 4 secondsTwo examples of sensory memory: – ICONIC memory (The temporary store for information that is received from the visual system. 0.2-0.4 seconds)- ECHOIC memory (Auditory information held in sensory memory for a brief period after the stimulus has ceased. 3- 4 seconds)

Sensory memory is the first stage of memory processing and refers to the initial information that is gathered by our senses from the environment around us. It is a brief and temporary memory store – quick to take in information and equally quick to fade away. Sensory memory is the first step in the overall process of encoding information into our long-term memory. The three main types of sensory memory include iconic memory (visual), echoic memory (auditory), and haptic memory (touch).

Iconic memory is responsible for registering visual information by creating mental images of our surroundings that remain for a very brief amount of time. For example, if someone quickly flashes an image in front of you, your iconic memory might retain a snapshot of that image for a brief moment.

Echoic memory, on the other hand, is responsible for registering auditory information like sounds, voices, or music. It is the briefest form of memory and lasts only a few seconds before it is replaced by new sensory information.

Haptic memory involves the ability to recognize and remember sensations of touch by feeling the shape, texture, and pressure of objects. Haptic memory can be used to identify objects within our grasp, and is often used to inform our sense of space and movement.

Overall, sensory memory plays a crucial role in our ability to process and retain information from our environment, allowing us to make sense of the world around us.

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