Sensory memory

define sensory memory

• a store of memory which very briefly stores raw information detected by the senses

What has the potential to be processed by your sensory memory

• Every piece of information in your current environment

Why is sensory memory described as the entry point for memory

• Because all information that is later stored must first be detected by the senses

What are some examples of information processed by sensory memory

• The sound of a chirping bird and your dog rubbing on your leg

function of sensory memory

• Retain information that has been detected by the senses in its raw form.

• Entry point for information

capacity of sensory memory

• unlimited

duration of sensory memory

• 0.2 to 4 seconds

what are the two types of sensory memory

• iconic memory

• echoic memory

define iconic memory

• Temporarily stores visual information for a brief amount of time (0.2-0.4 seconds)

define echoic memory

• Temporarily stores auditory information or sound which is detected in the environment (3-4 seconds)

Function of iconic memory

• Visual memory – sensory store of objects in your visual field

Function of echoic memory

• Sensory store of all sounds within our range of hearing

Capacity of iconic memory

• unlimited

Capacity of echoic memory

• unlimited

duration of iconic memory

• 0.2 to 0.4 seconds

duration of echoic memory

• 3-4 seconds

What would happen if iconic memory did not clear quickly

• Multiple sensory memory representations of a scene would overlap and distort your perception of the world

What is the role of iconic memory

• To briefly store visual information, preventing overlapping of images and maintaining clear perception

What is the role of echoic memory in speech and language comprehension

• It enables the storage of all sounds that make a word so it can be processed as a whole

How does echoic memory help in understanding sentences

• It allows an entire sequence of words to be held so meaning can be formed