US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Sensory memory is characterized by which of the following?

1. The ability to remember long-term events

2. The holding of information in its original form for very brief periods

3. The natural fading of memories over time

4. The active retrieval of knowledge and facts

The correct answer is: The holding of information in its original form for very brief periods

Sensory memory refers to the initial stage of memory where information is retained for a very short duration, typically only a fraction of a second to a few seconds. This form of memory is responsible for holding sensory information—what we see, hear, or feel—in its original format. It allows individuals to process and briefly retain large amounts of information from their environment before it is either discarded or transferred to short-term memory. The characteristic of holding information in its original form for brief periods is pivotal because it serves as a foundational stage for further memory processing. After this brief retention, other types of memory, such as short-term and long-term memory, can take over to retain information for longer durations or in a more organized manner.