What does the phonological loop hold in the context of memory?

The phonological loop is a component of Baddeley and Hitch's model of working memory, specifically responsible for processing verbal and auditory information. It functions to temporarily store sounds and spoken words, allowing individuals to engage in tasks such as language comprehension, repetition, and verbal rehearsal.

This component can take in information that is both verbal (e.g., words and sentences) and auditory (e.g., sounds related to hearing) and retains it through a rehearsal process. The segment of the phonological loop that handles this information is often subdivided into two parts: the phonological store, which holds auditory information for a short duration, and the articulatory rehearsal system, which allows for the maintenance of verbal information through repetition.

In contrast, other options refer to different types of memory. Visual information and images would relate more closely to the visuo-spatial sketchpad, another component of working memory. The notion of only verbal information narrows the scope too much, while sensory and procedural information pertain more to long-term memory systems rather than the specific function of the phonological loop. Thus, the comprehensive nature of the phonological loop's role in managing both verbal and auditory information makes it the correct answer.