It’s the things that we do everyday without even thinking about. It comes to to us automatically without a second thought. Sometimes we even do them without noticing we do them. These tasks are part of our implicit memory which is apart of our long term memory. Implicit memories are things that we do without consciously thinking about them as we do them. It is often unintentional that we store those memories. For example, if someone asked you how to tie a shoe, you most likely would show them how to do it rather than talk them through it. This is because it is easier to show than to give step by step instructions because chances are you haven’t really thought about having to describe how to do such a small task. The saying “ it’s like riding a bike” is referring to implicit memory. It is quite hard to forget how to ride a bike because it is a motor skill that you learned and stored in your memory when you first learned how to ride a bike. You could be in the tour de France, world class biker, and it would still be difficult for you to describe to someone who has never ridden a bike how to ride. Walking, riding a bike, tying a shoe etc. are all skills that have been picked up from watching others and although you may have mastered those skills a long time ago, it is hard to describe (using only words) exactly how to do those tasks.
Every time I go home for a weekend I have a moment of panic where I wonder if I will remember how to drive my car. Before college I would drive a lot. However I don’t have my car at school so I don’t get to drive while I’m at school. Once I sit down in the driver seat it is like something washes over me and I begin to drive like I still do it daily. I don’t even think about it any more. My younger brother who just got his permit was asking me about the turn signals one day and if you push the lever up or down to signal right and I had to take a minute and really think about it. Even after I answered I second guessed myself because I haven’t really thought about it in so long, it just comes naturally when I’m driving.
Next time someone asks you how to do something and instead of describing how to do it you say “here let me just show you”, take a moment and think if that motor skill is stored in your implicit long term memory.
Sources:
Cherry, K. (2019, August 29). What’s the Difference Between Implicit and Explicit Long-Term Memory? Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/implicit-and-explicit-memory-2795346.