Which memory type would likely retain the image of a fleeting visual stimulus?

Sensory memory is the correct answer because it is designed to hold brief and almost exact representations of sensory experiences for a very short duration. Specifically, visual sensory memory, often referred to as iconic memory, allows individuals to retain an image of a visual stimulus for a fraction of a second after the stimulus has disappeared. This rapid processing enables the brain to capture and briefly hold onto visual information, making it possible to perceive the world in a continuous, cohesive manner.

The other types of memory, such as short-term memory, involve storing information for a slightly longer duration and processing it, but they do not retain the fleeting details of visual information as immediately as sensory memory does. Declarative and semantic memory are focused on retaining facts, knowledge, and experiences, which are not related to the immediate and transient nature of sensory input.