Episodic Memories
Memories are something all people experience. Some memories are good and some memories are bad. Some memories are declarative, such as episodic memories. Episodic memories are often biographical, influenced by strong emotion or memories of important events.
Episodic memories are a type of long-term declarative memory. Declarative memories are memories one can readily recall. Episodic memories are often remembered in the order they happened. For example, autobiographical memories are often episodic memories. As explained by the American Psychological Association, episodic memories help people recall memorable life events. “Episodic memory is used to recall past events, such as a movie you saw last week, the dinner you ate last night, the name of the book your friend recommended, or a birthday party you attended” (May) Without episodic memories, people would not be able to recall their past birthdays, first kisses or any other important life event.
In an article published by Tony W. Buchanan, the relationship between strong emotions and episodic memories is explained. “Memories of our experiences are likely characterized by representations in the form of neuronal activity. Activity among a network of neurons represents a code for the experience of, say, a birthday party. When this network is activated by some cue that triggers a reexperience of that event, we are said to have recollected the birthday party. Emotional events are often remembered with greater accuracy and vividness (though these two characteristics do not always go together) than events lacking an emotional component (Reisberg & Hertel, 2005).” (Buchanan) Strong emotions influence a person’s ability to recall and retain details of memories and experiences themselves. Episodic memories are easier to remember if they are emotional in nature.
My experiences prove this to be true. One of my favorite and emotional memories is the memory of how I rescued my cat. I remember every detail of her journey. I found her on a rainy night in March just outside of my friend’s place of employment. She was frail and sick, yet still so friendly and loving. She had a raspy meow and trouble breathing. A friend of mine helped me get her to the veterinarian, where I would visit her every week, twice a week for an entire month. I would stay for as long as they would let me, sometimes for hours. Every day that I saw her there is a memory I can recall from start to finish. I once took her a blanket that I had bought from Sears. She was afraid of it at first. After attacking it and chewing on it, she realized it was not a threat and fell asleep on it for hours. I finally got to take her home on April 17th, 2015. She meowed the entire way home. She would hide under the bed and only come out for me. I remember the first toy she loved, the first meal I found her, administering her medications and watching her heal. It is also a memory I am likely to remember in detail for years to come. The emotions I experienced during the course of saving her make this memory easier to recall. I was nervous about getting attached to her, worried that she would not make it, anxious to leave her at the veterinarian and joyous when I realized she was finally able to come home. This is an episodic memory because it was a life altering event. The details of the memory are vivid, and easily and readily recalled.
Episodic memories are important as they help us to recall our most important memories. Without episodic memories, life would be far less meaningful. We would not be able to remember our favorite holiday celebrations, or family vacations. These memories give life meaning.
Works Cited
Buchanan, Tony W. “Retrieval of Emotional Memories.” Psychological Bulletin. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 6 Mar. 2008. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.
May, Cynthia P., and Gilles O. Einstein. “Memory: A Five-Day Unit Lesson Plan for High School Psychology Teachers.” Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS), Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.