According to the cognitive information processing theory, what do people receive input from the environment?

The correct choice is sensory memory because this type of memory serves as the initial stage of information processing, where sensory input from the environment is temporarily held for a very brief period of time. Sensory memory captures all the sensory experiences, including sights, sounds, and smells, allowing individuals to perceive and briefly retain information before it moves to further processing stages.

Sensory memory functions as a buffer, and it is critical for perceiving stimuli accurately and determining which information is relevant for further processing. This ability to hold onto sensory information for a fleeting moment enables individuals to focus on what they deem valuable, allowing for the selective transfer of information to short-term or working memory, where it can be actively manipulated and used.

In contrast, short-term memory mainly involves the retention of information for a short duration after it has been selected from sensory memory. Long-term memory is where information is stored more permanently after being encoded, while working memory is a part of short-term memory that deals with the manipulation of information for cognitive tasks. These other types of memory come into play after sensory memory has already done its job of capturing initial input from the environment.