Which type of memory involves brief retention of visual stimuli?

The type of memory that involves brief retention of visual stimuli is iconic memory. This form of sensory memory specifically deals with the fleeting images we perceive. When we look at something, our eyes capture visual information, and this information is processed into our visual sensory memory for a very short duration, typically around 0.5 seconds. Iconic memory allows us to retain a brief impression of the visual stimuli, which is crucial for our ability to perceive and interact with the world around us.

Unlike short-term memory, which holds information for longer periods (usually seconds to minutes) and involves more complex processing, iconic memory is purely visual and operates at a very immediate level. Long-term memory, on the other hand, refers to information that has been encoded for storing over extended periods, sometimes a lifetime. Echoic memory relates specifically to auditory stimuli, capturing sounds for a brief moment in time, which is not applicable to visual information. Therefore, iconic memory is the most accurate answer for the retention of visual stimuli.