Episodic Memory

Abstract

Episodic memory is the cognitive and neural system for long‐term encoding, storage, and retrieval of event representations, which include spatiotemporal context information. Initial encoding into episodic memory relies on the hippocampus and is improved by elaborative processing. Representations in storage are subject to interference, particularly prior to their transformation from hippocampal representations into cortical representations through consolidation. Event representations can be retrieved from unconscious storage, verbalized, and maintained in working memory while in use. Retrieval is accomplished via pattern completion so that the presence of cues matching an encoding event can drive retrieval of associated information. Episodic memory can be measured via recall and recognition paradigms, both of which gauge whether an event or item occurred within a particular context. Episodic memory is necessary for future simulation and autobiographical memory but separate from semantic memory and procedural memory.