What describes a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli, lasting no more than a few tenths of a second?

• A. Iconic Memory
• B. Echoic Memory
• C. Long-term Memory
• D. Procedural Memory

Answer: (A)

The correct answer is iconic memory, which refers to the brief sensory memory associated with visual stimuli. This type of memory allows individuals to retain an image of what they have just seen for a very short period—typically lasting no more than a few tenths of a second. Iconic memory serves as a kind of buffer for visual information, enabling the brain to process and interpret that information before it either fades or is encoded into more permanent forms of memory.

In the context of the other memory types listed, echoic memory pertains to auditory stimuli and can last slightly longer than iconic memory, often up to several seconds. Long-term memory involves the more permanent storage of information that can last from minutes to a lifetime. Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory related specifically to the performance of tasks and skills, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument, and is not directly related to the fleeting capture of visual information.

Thus, the key aspect of iconic memory is its rapid and transient nature, specifically pertaining to visual input, making it the appropriate choice for the question.