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Take-home Messages
Ulric Neisser introduced the term ‘echoic memory’ to signify a type ofsensory memorythat registers and temporarily holds auditory information (sounds) until it is processed and comprehended.The initial search for echoic memory emulated Sperling’s experiments oniconic memory, but subsequent research has utilized more advanced neuropsychological techniques.The brain regions involved in echoic memory includeBroca’s area, the dorsal premotor cortex, the posterior parietal cortex, the superior temporalgyrus, and the inferior temporal gyrus.Research suggests that echoic memory grows with age until adulthood, and then declines with old age.
Echoic memory is a type of sensory memory that registers and temporarily holds auditory information (sounds) until it is processed and comprehended (Carlson, 2010). This sensory store can retain a great amount of auditory information for a brief period of 3 to 4 seconds (Clark, 1987).
The German-American psychologist Ulric Neisser introduced the term ‘echoic memory’ in 1967 to denote the abovementioned short representation of auditory stimuli (Darwin, Turvey & Crowder, 1972).
The initial search for a possible sensory memory store in the auditory domain resembled the paradigm of partial report studies George Sperling employed in his iconic memory research.
Subsequently, more advanced neuropsychological techniques were utilized to estimate the duration, location, and capacity associated with the echoic memory store.
Examples
Listening to a song:When we listen to music, our brains briefly recall each note and connect it to the ensuing note. Consequently, the brain recognizes the sequences of notes as a song.
Repeated speech:When what someone says to us is not clear, we may request the repetition of what was mentioned. If the repetition resembles the original statement, our echoic memories will identify the repeated statement as familiar.
Research
However, the duration of the echo that exists following the presentation of the hearing signal seems to be a point of debate. While Julesz and Guttman have implied that it may be a second or even less, Johnson and Eriksen have indicated that it can take up to 10 seconds (Eriksen & Johnson, 1964).
In 1974, Graham Hitch and Alan Baddeley proposed a human memory model with aphonological loopthat attends in two ways to auditory stimuli (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974; Baddeley, Eysenck & Anderson, 2009). One section of the phonological storage contains the words we hear.
Methods for Testing
Whole Reporting and Partial ReportingGeorge Sperling’s research on iconic memory in the 1960s subsequently inspired other researchers to test the same phenomenon utilizing similar means in the auditory domain (Darwin, Turvey & Crowder, 1972). For instance, the participants in Sperling’s experiments had to repeat the letters that they saw.Likewise, the subjects in the echoic memory experiments had to repeat sequences of syllables, words, or tones that they heard. Just as with iconic memory experiments, performance on partial reporting seemed superior to that on whole reporting.Furthermore, the length of the interstimulus interval seemed to be inversely related to the ability to recall.
Whole Reporting and Partial Reporting
George Sperling’s research on iconic memory in the 1960s subsequently inspired other researchers to test the same phenomenon utilizing similar means in the auditory domain (Darwin, Turvey & Crowder, 1972). For instance, the participants in Sperling’s experiments had to repeat the letters that they saw.Likewise, the subjects in the echoic memory experiments had to repeat sequences of syllables, words, or tones that they heard. Just as with iconic memory experiments, performance on partial reporting seemed superior to that on whole reporting.Furthermore, the length of the interstimulus interval seemed to be inversely related to the ability to recall.
George Sperling’s research on iconic memory in the 1960s subsequently inspired other researchers to test the same phenomenon utilizing similar means in the auditory domain (Darwin, Turvey & Crowder, 1972). For instance, the participants in Sperling’s experiments had to repeat the letters that they saw.
Likewise, the subjects in the echoic memory experiments had to repeat sequences of syllables, words, or tones that they heard. Just as with iconic memory experiments, performance on partial reporting seemed superior to that on whole reporting.
Furthermore, the length of the interstimulus interval seemed to be inversely related to the ability to recall.
ABRM (Auditory Backward Recognition Masking)ABRM involves presenting a brief target stimulus to the subjects and then, following a brief interval, presenting the mask [a second stimulus] (Bjork & Bjork, 1996). The interstimulus interval’s length manipulates the length of the duration wherein the auditory information is available.Performance seems to improve as the interstimulus interval is raised to 250ms. While the mask does not seem to inhibit the procuring of information from the stimulus, it does seem to interfere with further processing.
ABRM (Auditory Backward Recognition Masking)
ABRM involves presenting a brief target stimulus to the subjects and then, following a brief interval, presenting the mask [a second stimulus] (Bjork & Bjork, 1996). The interstimulus interval’s length manipulates the length of the duration wherein the auditory information is available.Performance seems to improve as the interstimulus interval is raised to 250ms. While the mask does not seem to inhibit the procuring of information from the stimulus, it does seem to interfere with further processing.
ABRM involves presenting a brief target stimulus to the subjects and then, following a brief interval, presenting the mask [a second stimulus] (Bjork & Bjork, 1996). The interstimulus interval’s length manipulates the length of the duration wherein the auditory information is available.
Performance seems to improve as the interstimulus interval is raised to 250ms. While the mask does not seem to inhibit the procuring of information from the stimulus, it does seem to interfere with further processing.
Mismatch Negativity
The more objective and independent mismatch negativity tasks utilize electroencephalography to record alterations in activation in the brain (Näätänen & Escera, 2000).
Although these do not demand focused attention, they can measure auditory sensory memory.
Furthermore, mismatch negativity tasks can register the elements of the event-related potentials of brain activity evoked 150-200ms following an auditory stimulus.
Neurology Related to Iconic Memory
Echoic memory involves several distinct brain regions on account of its various processes. Most of the related brain areas are in the prefrontal cortex, which contains the executive control and deals with the direction of attention (Bjork & Bjork, 1996).
The rehearsal system and the phonological store seem to be left-hemisphere systems with increased brain activity (Kwon, Reiss & Menon, 2002). Moreover, Broca’s area in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex is responsible for the articulatory process and verbal rehearsal.
While the dorsal premotor cortex is associated with rhythmic organization, the localization of spatial objects is associated with the posterior parietal cortex.
Finally, the superior temporal gyrus and the inferior temporal gyrus too, seem to play a vital role in echoic memory (Schonwiesner, Novitski, Pakarinen, Carlson, Tervaniemi & Naatanen, 2007).
Echoic Memory and Age
Increased activation inside the neural structures over time implies that age may be positively correlated with the ability to process auditory sensory information (Kwon, Reiss & Menon, 2002).
As mismatch negativity research suggests, such cognitive and developmental growth is likely to occur until adulthood before experiencing a decline in old age (Glass, Sachse & Suchodoletz, 2008). One study suggests that the duration of auditory memory rises significantly, from 500 to 5000ms, between 2 and 6 years of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is echoic memory?Echoic memory is a type of sensory memory that temporarily stores auditory information or sounds for a brief period, typically for up to 3-4 seconds. It allows the brain to process and comprehend sounds even after the original sound ceases.What does echoic memory store?Echoic memory stores auditory information or sounds. It’s a part of sensory memory and holds these sounds for a brief period, typically around 3 to 4 seconds, even after the original sound has ceased. This allows time for the brain to process the auditory information.
What is echoic memory?Echoic memory is a type of sensory memory that temporarily stores auditory information or sounds for a brief period, typically for up to 3-4 seconds. It allows the brain to process and comprehend sounds even after the original sound ceases.
What is echoic memory?
Echoic memory is a type of sensory memory that temporarily stores auditory information or sounds for a brief period, typically for up to 3-4 seconds. It allows the brain to process and comprehend sounds even after the original sound ceases.
What does echoic memory store?Echoic memory stores auditory information or sounds. It’s a part of sensory memory and holds these sounds for a brief period, typically around 3 to 4 seconds, even after the original sound has ceased. This allows time for the brain to process the auditory information.
What does echoic memory store?
Echoic memory stores auditory information or sounds. It’s a part of sensory memory and holds these sounds for a brief period, typically around 3 to 4 seconds, even after the original sound has ceased. This allows time for the brain to process the auditory information.
References
Alain, C., Woods, D. L., & Knight, R. T. (1998). A distributed cortical network for auditory sensory memory in humans.Brain research, 812(1-2), 23-37.
Baddeley, A. D. (1986).Working memory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Baddeley, A. D. (2000). The episodic buffer: A new component of working memory?Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4, (11): 417-423.
Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. In G.H. Bower (Ed.),The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory(Vol. 8, pp. 47–89). New York: Academic Press.
Bjork, E, & Bjork, R. (1996).Memory. New York: Academic Press.
Carlson, N. R., Buskist, W., & Martin, G. N. (1997).Psychology: The science of behavior. Needham Heights,MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Clark, T. (1987).Echoic memory explored and applied. Journal of services marketing.
Darwin, C. J., Turvey, M. T., & Crowder, R. G. (1972).An auditory analogue of the Sperling partial report procedure: Evidence for brief auditory storage.Cognitive Psychology, 3(2), 255-267.
Eriksen, C. W., & Johnson, H. J. (1964). Storage and decay characteristics of nonattended auditory stimuli.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 68(1), 28.
Glass, E., Sachse, S., & von Suchodoletz, W. (2008). Development of auditory sensory memory from 2 to 6 years: an MMN study.Journal of Neural Transmission, 115(8), 1221-1229.
Kwon, H., Reiss, A. L., & Menon, V. (2002). Neural basis of protracted developmental changes in visuo-spatial working memory.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(20), 13336-13341.
Kwon, H., Reiss, A. L., & Menon, V. (2002). Neural basis of protracted developmental changes in visuo-spatial working memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(20), 13336-13341.
Näätänen R, Escera C (2000). “Mismatch negativity: clinical and other applications”. Audiol.Neurootol, 5(3–4), 105–10.
Nunez, Kirsten. (1 Nov. 2019). Echoic Memory vs. Iconic Memory: How We Perceive the Past. Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/echoic-memory.
Radvansky, G. (2005).Human Memory. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Sabri, M., Kareken, D. A., Dzemidzic, M., Lowe, M. J., & Melara, R. D. (2004). Neural correlates of auditory sensory memory and automatic change detection.Neuroimage, 21(1), 69-74.
Schonwiesner, M., Novitski, N., Pakarinen, S., Carlson, S., Tervaniemi, M., & Naatanen, R. (2007). Heschl’s gyrus, posterior superior temporal gyrus, and mid-ventrolateral prefrontal cortex have different roles in the detection of acoustic changes.Journal of neurophysiology, 97(3), 2075-2082.
Strous, R. D., Cowan, N., Ritter, W., & Javitt, D. C. (1995). Auditory sensory (” echoic”) memory dysfunction in schizophrenia.The American journal of psychiatry.
Further Information
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard UniversityAyesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera
Researcher
B.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
