Which type of memory would most likely be activated first during a computer task?

• A. Implicit memory
• B. Sensory memory
• C. Short-term memory
• D. Episodic memory

Answer: (B)

Sensory memory is the type of memory that is most likely activated first during a computer task because it is responsible for the initial intake of sensory information. Sensory memory holds a brief impression of sensory stimuli from the environment, such as sights, sounds, and smells, for a very short duration – typically less than a second for visual stimuli. When you engage with a computer task, your senses detect visual information from the screen and auditory information from sounds produced by the computer, and this information is captured in sensory memory.

This initial step is crucial as it provides the raw data that can then be processed further by the brain. If the information captured in sensory memory is attended to and recognized, it can be transferred to short-term memory for more detailed processing and manipulation. Other forms of memory, such as implicit memory or episodic memory, typically come into play after this initial sensory processing, thus underscoring the role of sensory memory as the first stage in the memory activation sequence during cognitive tasks.