Cognitive Information Processing

Question 1

Sensory memory

Answer 1

The first stage of information processing. Associated with the senses (vision, hearing, etc.), it functions to hold information in memory very briefly, just long enough for the information to be processed further (74). There is a separate sensory memory corresponding with each of the five senses, but all are assumed to operate essentially the same way (75). Visual information registers in one-twentieth of a second and decays rapidly and auditory memory lasts up to four seconds. Sounds must remain in sensory memory long enough for them to be combined with other sounds so that speech may be understood.