Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImplicit MemoryWhere Is Implicit Memory Stored in the Brain?Explicit MemoryKey DifferencesInfluencesInteractionProtecting Your Memory
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Implicit Memory
Where Is Implicit Memory Stored in the Brain?
Explicit Memory
Key Differences
Influences
Interaction
Protecting Your Memory
Close
Implicit memory and explicit memory are both types oflong-term memory. Information you remember unconsciously and effortlessly (like how to ride a bike) is known as implicit memory, while information that you have to consciously work to remember (such as recalling items on your to-do list) is known as explicit memory.
Explicit and implicit memory play important roles in shaping our ability to recall information and interact in our environment.Knowing some of the major differences between the two is important for understanding how memory works.
Learn what implicit and explicit memory are and how they work. We also discuss the differences between the twotypes of memoryand the various factors that can affect your implicit and explicit memory.
People often focus more on the topic of explicit memory, but researchers are becoming increasingly interested in how implicit memory works and how it influences knowledge and behavior.
Cindy Chung/Verywell
What Are the 5 Stages of Memory?
What Is Implicit Memory?
Information that people don’t purposely try to remember is stored in implicit memory, which is also sometimes referred to asunconscious memoryor automatic memory. This kind of memory is both unconscious and unintentional.
Implicit memory is also sometimes referred to as nondeclarative memory since you are not able to consciously bring it into awareness.
Procedural memories, such as how to perform a specific task like swinging a baseball bat or making toast, are one type of implicit memory since you don’t have to consciously recall how to perform these tasks. While implicit memories are not consciously recalled, they still influence how you behave, as well as your knowledge of different tasks.
Examples of Implicit Memory
Some examples of implicit memory include singing a familiar song, typing on your computer keyboard, and brushing your teeth. Riding a bike is another example. Even after going years without riding one, most people are able to hop on a bike and ride it effortlessly.
Other examples of implicit memory may include:
These are skills you learn and don’t have to relearn again in order to perform them. These memories are largely unconscious and occur automatically; you don’t need to think about all of the exact steps you need to follow in order to complete each task.
Where Is Implicit Memory Stored in the Brain?Implicit memory involves two key areas of the brain: the cerebellum and the basal ganglia.The cerebellum sends and receives information from the spinal cord and is essential for the formation of procedural memories. The basal ganglia are important for the coordination of motor activities. Explicit memory relies on the hippocampus and frontal lobe.
Implicit memory involves two key areas of the brain: the cerebellum and the basal ganglia.The cerebellum sends and receives information from the spinal cord and is essential for the formation of procedural memories. The basal ganglia are important for the coordination of motor activities. Explicit memory relies on the hippocampus and frontal lobe.
RecapImplicit memories are unconscious and automatic. This includes memories of how to perform tasks that you do every day. Rather than consciously recalling how to ride a bike, you are able to perform the task without really thinking about it.
Recap
Implicit memories are unconscious and automatic. This includes memories of how to perform tasks that you do every day. Rather than consciously recalling how to ride a bike, you are able to perform the task without really thinking about it.
What Is Explicit Memory?
When you’re trying to intentionally remember something (like a formula foryour statistics classor a friend’s mailing address), this information is stored in your explicit memory. People use these memories every day, from remembering information for a test to recalling the date and time of a doctor’s appointment.
Explicit memory is also known as declarative memory since you can consciously recall and explain the information.
Types of Explicit MemoryEpisodic memory: These are your long-term memories of specific events, such as what you did yesterday or your high school graduation.Semantic memory: These arememories of facts, concepts, names, and other general knowledge.
Types of Explicit Memory
Episodic memory: These are your long-term memories of specific events, such as what you did yesterday or your high school graduation.Semantic memory: These arememories of facts, concepts, names, and other general knowledge.
Examples of Explicit Memory
Some tasks that require the use of explicit memory include remembering what you learned in yourpsychology class, recalling your phone number, identifying who the current president is, writing a research paper, and remembering what time you’re meeting a friend to go to a movie.
Other examples of things that are remembered through explicit memory include:
Many examples of explicit memory involve textbook learning or experiential memories. These are things that you consciously need to bring into awareness.
RecapExplicit memories are those that are consciously recalled. This includes memories of events from your life as well as the memory of facts and other learned information.
Explicit memories are those that are consciously recalled. This includes memories of events from your life as well as the memory of facts and other learned information.
Differences Between Explicit and Implicit Memory
In order to understand some of the key differences between these two types of memory, it can be helpful to compare the two.
Explicit MemoryEncoded to memory and later retrievedOften formed deliberately through rehearsalOften encoded unconsciously and tied to emotionsMay be drawn into awareness through associationsImplicit MemoryBecomes automatic over time with repetitionBegins with learning skills and mastering a taskCan result in priming, or responding the same way to similar stimuliOften dependent upon context and cues
Explicit MemoryEncoded to memory and later retrievedOften formed deliberately through rehearsalOften encoded unconsciously and tied to emotionsMay be drawn into awareness through associations
Encoded to memory and later retrieved
Often formed deliberately through rehearsal
Often encoded unconsciously and tied to emotions
May be drawn into awareness through associations
Implicit MemoryBecomes automatic over time with repetitionBegins with learning skills and mastering a taskCan result in priming, or responding the same way to similar stimuliOften dependent upon context and cues
Becomes automatic over time with repetition
Begins with learning skills and mastering a task
Can result in priming, or responding the same way to similar stimuli
Often dependent upon context and cues
Here’s a quick demonstration that you can try to show how implicit and explicit memory work. Type the following sentence without looking down at your hands: “Every red pepper is tantalizing.” Now, without looking, try naming the ten letters that appear in the top row of your keyboard.
You probably found it quite easy to type the above sentence without having to consciously think about where each letter appears on the keyboard. That task requires implicit memory. Having to recall which letters appear in the top row of your keyboard, however, is something that would require explicit memory.
Since you have probably never sat down and intentionally committed the order of those keys to memory, it’s not something that you are able to easily recall.
Influences on Explicit and Implicit Memory
A number of factors can influence the formation of both explicit and implicit memory, including yourstress levels, emotional states, and more.
Stress
One older study found that high stress levels had an effect on working memory,a part ofshort-term memorythat acts as a temporary holding space for information people are focusing on at the moment. This part of memory is important in the formation of explicit memories.
The research also suggested that stress may actually facilitate the formation of implicit memories for negative emotional information. A more recent study, however, found that normal everyday variations in stress levels don’t appear to have a detrimental impact on working memory.
Mood
Research has also suggested that mood can play an essential role in the formation and recall of explicit and implicit memories. In one study, people who wereexperiencing depressed moodswere more likely to show implicit recall of negative information. However, those who were not depressed were more likely to recall positive information implicitly.
Age
Age can also have an impact on explicit memory. While explicit memory tends to decline with age, implicit memories tend to be preserved.
How Implicit and Explicit Memory Work Together
Implicit memory and explicit memory do not work in isolation—they also interact in a number of ways. For example:
For many everyday tasks, implicit memory and explicit memory work together so that you can perform tasks efficiently.
RecapImplicit memory and explicit memory both play important roles. While explicit memory involves the conscious recall of information, implicit memory occurs automatically outside of awareness. Both types are important for learning and functioning normally in your daily life.
Implicit memory and explicit memory both play important roles. While explicit memory involves the conscious recall of information, implicit memory occurs automatically outside of awareness. Both types are important for learning and functioning normally in your daily life.
Protecting Implicit and Explicit Memory
Specific strategies and healthy habits can help protect both types of memory. A few steps you can take include:
Takeaways
Implicit and explicit memory are two different types of long-term memory that serve different functions. Implicit memory allows you to perform actions without needing to consciously recall how to do them, while explicit memory allows you to bring information into conscious awareness.
Both types of memory are important for shaping your ability to function in your environment. Both also shape your experience of the world.
Proven Techniques to Improve Memory
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bauer PJ.Chapter 16 - Memory development.Neural Circuit Develop Funct Brain. 2013:297-314. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-397267-5.00040-6Joyce AW. Implicit working memory: Implications for assessment and treatment.App Neuropsychol: Child. 2016;5(3):223-234. doi:10.1080/21622965.2016.1167497Michigan State University.Parts of the brain involved with memory.Luethi M, Meier B, Sandi C.Stress effects on working memory, explicit memory, and implicit memory for neutral and emotional stimuli in healthy men.Front Behav Neurosci. 2008;2:5. doi:10.3389/neuro.08.005.2008Lukasik KM, Waris O, Soveri A, Lehtonen M, Laine M.The relationship of anxiety and stress with working memory performance in a large non-depressed sample.Front Psychol. 2019;10:4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00004Gaddy MA, Ingram RE.A meta-analytic review of mood-congruent implicit memory in depressed mood.Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(5):402-416. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.001Ward EV, Berry CJ, Shanks DR.Age effects on explicit and implicit memory.Front Psychol.2013;4:639. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00639
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bauer PJ.Chapter 16 - Memory development.Neural Circuit Develop Funct Brain. 2013:297-314. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-397267-5.00040-6Joyce AW. Implicit working memory: Implications for assessment and treatment.App Neuropsychol: Child. 2016;5(3):223-234. doi:10.1080/21622965.2016.1167497Michigan State University.Parts of the brain involved with memory.Luethi M, Meier B, Sandi C.Stress effects on working memory, explicit memory, and implicit memory for neutral and emotional stimuli in healthy men.Front Behav Neurosci. 2008;2:5. doi:10.3389/neuro.08.005.2008Lukasik KM, Waris O, Soveri A, Lehtonen M, Laine M.The relationship of anxiety and stress with working memory performance in a large non-depressed sample.Front Psychol. 2019;10:4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00004Gaddy MA, Ingram RE.A meta-analytic review of mood-congruent implicit memory in depressed mood.Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(5):402-416. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.001Ward EV, Berry CJ, Shanks DR.Age effects on explicit and implicit memory.Front Psychol.2013;4:639. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00639
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bauer PJ.Chapter 16 - Memory development.Neural Circuit Develop Funct Brain. 2013:297-314. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-397267-5.00040-6Joyce AW. Implicit working memory: Implications for assessment and treatment.App Neuropsychol: Child. 2016;5(3):223-234. doi:10.1080/21622965.2016.1167497Michigan State University.Parts of the brain involved with memory.Luethi M, Meier B, Sandi C.Stress effects on working memory, explicit memory, and implicit memory for neutral and emotional stimuli in healthy men.Front Behav Neurosci. 2008;2:5. doi:10.3389/neuro.08.005.2008Lukasik KM, Waris O, Soveri A, Lehtonen M, Laine M.The relationship of anxiety and stress with working memory performance in a large non-depressed sample.Front Psychol. 2019;10:4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00004Gaddy MA, Ingram RE.A meta-analytic review of mood-congruent implicit memory in depressed mood.Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(5):402-416. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.001Ward EV, Berry CJ, Shanks DR.Age effects on explicit and implicit memory.Front Psychol.2013;4:639. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00639
Bauer PJ.Chapter 16 - Memory development.Neural Circuit Develop Funct Brain. 2013:297-314. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-397267-5.00040-6
Joyce AW. Implicit working memory: Implications for assessment and treatment.App Neuropsychol: Child. 2016;5(3):223-234. doi:10.1080/21622965.2016.1167497
Michigan State University.Parts of the brain involved with memory.
Luethi M, Meier B, Sandi C.Stress effects on working memory, explicit memory, and implicit memory for neutral and emotional stimuli in healthy men.Front Behav Neurosci. 2008;2:5. doi:10.3389/neuro.08.005.2008
Lukasik KM, Waris O, Soveri A, Lehtonen M, Laine M.The relationship of anxiety and stress with working memory performance in a large non-depressed sample.Front Psychol. 2019;10:4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00004
Gaddy MA, Ingram RE.A meta-analytic review of mood-congruent implicit memory in depressed mood.Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(5):402-416. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.001
Ward EV, Berry CJ, Shanks DR.Age effects on explicit and implicit memory.Front Psychol.2013;4:639. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00639
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