You will hear part of a lecture about episodic memory.
First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
Today we will continue our series on memory by examining episodic memory and the way it functions.
Episodic memory is our memory for an event or episode.
It enables us to recall details about things that happened, including when an event occurred and its location.
To understand this, think about remembering the last time you ate at a restaurant.
Remembering the time, your companions, and what you ordered are all examples of episodic memory.
This is different from semantic memory, sometimes called factual memory.
The general knowledge we share about the world, such as what a word means.
If you build on an earlier example, knowing where you left your car is episodic, but understanding how a car works comes from semantic memory.
Unlike episodic memory, semantic memory is not tied to personal experience.
We can view episodic memory as a process with three stages.
Encoding, consolidation, and retrieval.
Encoding is the first stage.
It involves receiving and registering information, which is necessary for forming memories of events.
The amount of attention given to an event while it happens strongly affects how successfully it is encoded.
Distraction can make encoding inefficient.
Encoding also depends on context.
Remembering a name is often easier if you connect it with other information about the person.
The next stage is consolidation, the process by which encoded memories are strengthened, stabilized, and stored for later use.
Consolidation works most effectively when the information is stored as part of a network of related information.
It is possible to keep memories for later retrieval without a conscious strategy.
The frequency with which you retrieve them can also affect their strength.
Memories may fade or become harder to access if they are not used often.
The final stage is retrieval, when stored information is consciously recalled.
Retrieval frequently depends on context or a prompt.
For instance, when trying to remember where you parked, you may use the color of a sign near the car.
This can mentally return you to the moment when you parked.
A wide range of neurological and medical conditions can affect episodic memory, from Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia to autism.
Impairment can have a profound effect on everyday life.
Symptoms of schizophrenia may be reduced when computer-assisted games designed to keep the brain active are used, although episodic memory may still be limited, and returning to work or study can remain difficult.
Episodic memories can also help people form social connections, for example, by sharing personal details about the past.
Some individuals with autism often have difficulty with this.
One possible reason is the absence of a sense of self, which is essential for storing this kind of memory, and has been found to be impaired in children with autism.
Research suggests that treatments aimed at improving memory may also support social development.
That is the end of Part 4.
