Sensory memory: duration, capacity and encoding

• Definition⇒ Sensory memory is the entry point of memory where new incoming sensory information is stored for a very brief period. It is retained as an exact copy of its original form
• • Capacity=Unlimited
  • Sensory information remains in sensory memory for just long enough for us to attend to and select the information to be transferred to short-term memory (STM)
  • It is therefore a temporary storage system for information that will undergo further processing
  • We are not consciously aware of the information in our sensory memory the effect of transferring it to STM where we are now consciously aware of it.
  • When we direct our attention to information in sensory memory, this has
• • If you do not attend to the information then no further processing will occur and the information will drop out. It will not reach STM or LTM (Long term memory).
  • Sensory memory has two separate sensory systems called sensory registers:

  1. Iconic Memory
  2. Echoic memory
• Iconic Definition⇒ Is used to describe visual information is processed in the temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and language

  • We store for about 1/3 of a second
  • If the image is attended to it will be further processed and sent to the STM
• Echoic memory Definition⇒ describes auditory memory

  • retains all sounds
  • It is called echoic because it lingers like an echo
  • We store information for 3-4 seconds
  • If the sound is attended to it will be further processed and sent to the STM