Which memory type stores incoming, fleeting sensory information?

Sensory memory is the correct choice because it serves as the initial stage of memory processing, responsible for briefly holding incoming sensory information from our environment. This type of memory captures and retains fleeting impressions of sensory stimuli, including visual (iconic memory) and auditory (echoic memory) information, for a very short duration—typically less than a second for visual information and a few seconds for auditory information.

Sensory memory acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the senses, allowing individuals to perceive a continuous flow of information even though the actual sensory input is transient. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that we can select and process relevant information for further encoding into short-term memory.

In contrast, short-term memory is responsible for holding information for a limited time, typically around 20 to 30 seconds, and involves active processing of information. Working memory is a structure within short-term memory that focuses on the manipulation and storage of information needed for cognitive tasks. Long-term memory is where information is stored more permanently after undergoing encoding and consolidation processes, making it accessible for later retrieval. Each of these types of memory serves distinct functions in the overall memory process, reinforcing why sensory memory is specifically associated with the initial and fleeting storage of sensory information.