Sensory memory is the initial processing that transforms stimuli into information we can make sense of. It is also the shortest from of memory lasting only 1-3 seconds. The stimuli are received through our 5 senses, typically sight, sound, and touch. The different types of sensory memory are identified by the stimulus. The main 2 types of sensory memory are iconic and echoic.
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Iconic memory is the visual sensory register while echoic memory is the auditorial sensory register.
Psychologist, George Sperling conducted experiments that tested the average person's sensory memory capacity. In his experiments sights and sounds were presented to people lasting for only a fraction of a second. The people were then asked to recall what had just seen.