What is iconic memory primarily concerned with?

Iconic memory is primarily concerned with short-lived sensory memory for visual stimuli. It refers to the brief retention of visual images after the original stimuli have been removed. This type of memory allows individuals to retain an accurate representation of what they have just seen for a very brief period, typically only a fraction of a second. This process is critical for visual perception, enabling the brain to integrate and interpret complex visual scenes before the image fades away.

The other options do not accurately describe iconic memory. For instance, short-lived sensory memory for auditory inputs pertains to echoic memory, which deals with sounds rather than visual information. Long-term retention of visual information relates to the processes involved in transferring iconic memories into long-term memory storage, which is a separate cognitive function. Lastly, the encoding of auditory information into memory is relevant to auditory processing and memory forms, which do not align with the visual component emphasized by iconic memory. Thus, the focus of iconic memory is specifically about immediate visual sensations and their fleeting duration in awareness.