Hint:
Charlie
Charlie
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Today, we'll be continuing the series of lectures on memory
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by focusing on what is called episodic memory
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and what can happen if this is not working properly.
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Episodic memory refers to the memory of an event or 'episode'.
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Episodic memories allow us to mentally travel back in time to an event from the past.
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Episodic memories include various details about these events,
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for example, when an event happened
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and other information such as the location.
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To help understand this concept,
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try to remember the last time you ate dinner at a restaurant.
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The ability to remember where you ate,
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who you were with and the items you ordered are all features of an episodic memory.
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Episodic memory is distinct from another type of memory called semantic memory.
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This is the type of factual memory that we have in common with everyone else -
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that is your general knowledge of the world.
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To build upon a previous example,
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remembering where you parked your car is an example of episodic memory,
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but your understanding of what a car is
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and how an engine works are examples of semantic memory.
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Unlike episodic memory, semantic memory isn't dependent on recalling personal experiences.
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Episodic memory can be thought of as a process with several different steps of memory processing:
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encoding, consolidation and retrieval.
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The initial step is called encoding.
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This involves the process of receiving and registering information,
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which is necessary for creating memories of information or events that you experience.
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The degree to which you can successfully encode information
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depends on the level of attention you give to an event while it's actually happening.
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Being distracted can make effective encoding very difficult.
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Encoding of episodic memories is also influenced by how you process the event.
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For example, if you were introduced to someone called Charlie,
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you might make the connection that your uncle has the same name.
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Future recollection of Charlie's name is much easier
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if you have a strategy to help you encode it.
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Memory consolidation, the next step in forming an episodic memory,
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is the process by which memories of encoded information are strengthened,
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stabilised and stored to facilitate later retrieval.
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Consolidation is most effective when the information being stored
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can be linked to an existing network of information.
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Consolidation makes it possible for you to store memories for later retrieval indefinitely.
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Forming strong memories depends on the frequency with which you try to retrieve them.
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Memories can fade or become harder to retrieve if they aren't used very often.
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The last step in forming episodic memories is called retrieval,
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which is the conscious recollection of encoded information.
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Retrieving information from episodic memory
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depends upon semantic, olfactory, auditory and visual factors.
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These help episodic memory retrieval by acting as a prompt.
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For example, when recalling where you parked your car
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you may use the colour of a sign close to where you parked.
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You actually have to mentally travel back to the moment you parked.
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There are a wide range of neurological diseases
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and conditions that can affect episodic memory.
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These range from Alzheimer's to schizophrenia to autism.
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An impairment of episodic memory can have a profound effect on individuals' lives.
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For example, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be reasonably well controlled by medication;
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however, patients' episodic memory may still be impaired
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and so they are often unable to return to university or work.
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Recent studies have shown that computer-assisted games designed to keep the brain active
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can help improve their episodic memory.
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Episodic memories can help people connect with others,
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for instance by sharing intimate details about their past;
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something individuals with autism often have problems with.
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This may be caused by an absence of a sense of self.
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This is essential for the storage of episodic memory,
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and has been found to be impaired in children with autism.
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Research has shown that treatments that improve memory
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may also have a positive impact on children's social development.
