What is sensory memory?

Sensory memory is indeed the first stage of the memory system. It is responsible for temporarily holding vast amounts of perceptual information from the environment before it is processed further. During this very brief phase, sensory memory captures details from our sensory perception (like sights, sounds, and scents) and retains them for a fraction of a second to a couple of seconds. This gives our brains a chance to process the sensory information before it moves into the next stages of memory, which involve more complex processing and storage.

In contrast to sensory memory, the second and third stages of the memory system refer to short-term memory and long-term memory, respectively, which involve different capacities and durations for holding information. Memories tied to specific events in time relate more to episodic memory, a type of long-term memory, rather than sensory memory. Understanding the role of sensory memory is crucial as it lays the foundation for how experiences are encoded and later retrieved in our cognitive processes.