What best defines sensory memory?

Sensory memory is best defined as impressions of sensory stimuli. This type of memory acts as a brief storage system that captures sensory information from the environment, allowing individuals to retain information for a very short period, typically fractions of a second to a few seconds. It serves as an initial stage of memory processing, allowing the brain to take in and register sensory stimuli before encoding them into short-term memory or discarding them.

In contrast, long-term storage of information refers to a more durable phase of memory that can retain information over days, weeks, or even years. Memory consolidation is the process by which short-term memories are transformed into long-term storage, making it a separate process from sensory memory. Lastly, methods of memorizing through repetition do not pertain specifically to sensory memory; they relate to techniques for reinforcing information in memory over time. Hence, the definition of sensory memory revolves around the immediate, fleeting impressions of sensory input.