Implicit vs Explicit Memories

What are implicit and explicit memories and how do they relate to what we do?

The explicit memories (conscious memories) are thought to be stored in the hippocampus which is part of the temporal lobe. It organizes, codes, selects memories. It’s divided into episodic memories and semantic memories. Think of 9-11. Everyone remembers exactly where they were, who they were with, what they were doing when they learned of 9-11. The whole world stopped and we watched and listened. This is an episodic memory. Semantic memory is knowing that Italy is a country inside the European continent, we know this, we learned it and we know it as factual. It is semantic.

The implicit memories (unconscious memories) are stored in the amygdala and this part of the brain manages emotions. It’s also connected to the hippocampus via neural pathways. Procedural memories are part of implicit memories and procedural memories are how we learn, step-by-step, for example: how to skate, how to play an instrument, how to drive your car, how to pole vault, it is through a process of repetition and consistency.

So…. this might explain “how” we learn. Pause for a second and think of your favourite activity and then connect it with how you feel when you’re doing it. Procedural is intimately connected to our emotions via neural pathways.

Research has shown that there are a series of factors involved in the formation of both implicit and explicit memories and these encompass emotion and stress. It is implied that stress might be responsible for emotional negative explicit memories which in turn affect our implicit memories. Activities that involve stress are hence perhaps not the best way to regulate or form memories.

On a brighter note, there has also been research showing that mood plays an important role in the materialization of implicit and explicit memories.  Doing something we love is important is helping us build stronger neural pathways and develop cognitive skills or retain them as we get older.

At The Cornerstone Pilates, we favour a softer approach, one that is encouraging and inclusive. Every one is welcome as long as they are interested in learning how to move.

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