Which statement best describes sensory memory?

• A. It briefly holds sensory information just long enough to be processed.
• B. It is the major long-term storage of semantic knowledge.
• C. It is where motor plans are stored before execution.
• D. It selectively filters stimuli using attention.

Answer: (A)

Sensory memory is a brief sensory buffer that holds information from our senses just long enough for the brain to decide what to process further. This stage acts as a quick snapshot of input, with a very large capacity but a tiny time window—visual information (iconic memory) lasts a fraction of a second, while auditory input (echoic memory) persists a bit longer. The statement that best describes sensory memory is that it briefly holds sensory information just long enough to be processed, capturing the idea that its job is to provide a fleeting store to bridge sensation and deeper processing.

Think of how you might see a flashing light or hear a quick sound and still be able to report a few details for a moment after it’s gone; that fleeting retention illustrates sensory memory at work. It’s not about storing meanings for a long time (that’s semantic memory in long-term storage), nor about storing motor plans before action (which involves motor-related systems), nor about filtering stimuli with attention (which pertains to attentional processes and perception).