| Feature | Episodic Memory | Semantic Memory | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Personal events, experiences | Facts, concepts, general knowledge | | Reference | "I remember..." | "I know..." | | Time/Place | Specific (tied to when/where) | General (timeless and placeless) | | Subjective Feel | Reliving the past (Mental Time Travel) | State of knowing/awareness | | Emotional Tie | Strongly linked to emotions | Generally emotionally neutral | | Development | Develops later in childhood (approx. age 3-4) | Develops earlier (language acquisition) |
Some researchers (e.g., McClelland, 2001) argue for a that varies only in contextual detail. The "Multiple Trace Theory" (Moscovitch, Nadel) counters that the hippocampus is always necessary for episodic retrieval, even for remote memories. episodic memory vs semantic memory
With repeated experience, episodic memories can —lose context details and become general knowledge. | Feature | Episodic Memory | Semantic Memory
Semantic memory is the system responsible for storing general knowledge, facts, concepts, and the meanings of words. It is independent of personal experience. With repeated experience