What does the term 'persistence of sound' refer to in cognitive psychology?

The term 'persistence of sound' in cognitive psychology refers to echoic memory. This type of memory is a specific form of sensory memory that retains auditory information for a brief period after the sound has stopped. It allows individuals to hold on to auditory information long enough to process it, which is particularly useful for understanding spoken language and sounds in our environment. Echoic memory typically lasts for a few seconds, enabling a person to recall sounds even after they have ended, much like how iconic memory allows for short-term retention of visual stimuli.

In contrast, the other memory types listed focus on different modalities or forms of storage. Iconic memory pertains to visual representations, while semantic memory deals with facts and concepts that are not linked to specific experiences. Procedural memory is related to skills and actions learned over time, such as riding a bike or typing. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why echoic memory is the correct association for the term 'persistence of sound.'