episodic
ep-ih-SOD-ik
/ˌepɪˈsɒdɪk/
Relating to long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific personal experiences, events, and contextual details.
Refers specifically to autobiographical memory linked to time, place, and personal emotion, distinct from general facts.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'epeisodion', meaning an inserted act or section in ancient Greek drama between choral songs. In 1972, psychologist Endel Tulving coined 'episodic memory' to designate the personal 'episodes' of our lives stored with timestamps and contextual sensory detail.
Word relationships
- autobiographical: Autobiographical focuses on personal life history, whereas episodic is a broader psychological classification for event-based memory.
- semantic: Semantic memory covers general concepts and facts devoid of personal context or time.
Commonly confused with
- procedural: Procedural memory stores motor skills (like riding a bike), whereas episodic memory stores specific personal life events.
Word family
- episode (noun): An event or sequence of events occurring in a life or story
Collocations
- episodic memory
- episodic recall
- episodic detail
- autobiographical episodic memory
Example sentences
- "Her episodic memory was so vivid that she could recall what she wore and ate on her tenth birthday." Neuroscience
- "Damage to the hippocampus typically impairs episodic memory while leaving semantic memory intact." Clinical neurology
Memory hook
EPISODIC memory acts like TV EPISODES of your life experience. Personal life episodes.
When not to use
Do not use when describing general factual knowledge, like knowing that Paris is the capital of France.
Fun facts
- Tulving called episodic memory 'mental time travel' because it allows humans to mentally re-experience past events.
Explore more words
reminiscence, memoir, memorization, cognitive, Memory, reminisce
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