Which of the following is NOT one of the three components of memory?

Memory is traditionally understood to consist of three main components: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Each of these plays a unique role in how we process and retain information.

Sensory memory acts as the initial stage of memory, where sensory information from the environment is briefly stored. This allows a quick and efficient processing of incoming stimuli. Next, short-term memory holds information temporarily, usually for seconds to a few minutes, and is crucial for tasks that require active thinking and problem-solving. Finally, long-term memory is where information is stored more permanently, allowing for more extensive retention and recall over longer periods.

Visual memory refers specifically to the ability to remember and recall visual information, which can be related to but is not a separate component of memory itself. Instead, it can be viewed as a subset of various memory types, particularly within the scope of long-term memory. Therefore, visual memory is not one of the foundational categories that define the structure of the memory system.