Procedural Memory: Definition, Examples, and How It Works

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksExamplesFormationDisorders Affecting Procedural MemoryProcedural vs. Declarative MemoryHow to Improve

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How It Works

Examples

Formation

Disorders Affecting Procedural Memory

Procedural vs. Declarative Memory

How to Improve

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Procedural memory, also called implicit memory, is a type oflong-term memoryinvolved in the performance of different actions and skills. Essentially, it is the memory of how to do certain things. Riding a bike, tying your shoes, and cooking an omelet without a recipe are all examples of procedural memories.How Procedural Memory WorksProcedural memories start to form very early in life as you begin to learn how to walk, talk, eat, and play. These memories become so ingrained that they are almost automatic. You do not need to consciously think about how to perform these motor skills; you simply do them without much, if any, thought.While it is easy to demonstrate these actions, explaining how and where you learned them can be much more difficult. In many cases, you learn these skills during early childhood. Learning how to walk is one great example.Once this action is learned, you do not need to consciously remind yourself of how the process works. Your procedural memory takes over and allows you to perform the skill without thinking about it. For activities like learning how to drive or ride a bike, you simply practice them so often that they become ingrained.Procedural Memory ExamplesYou use procedural memory for a variety of actions. Examples of things you might do that involve procedural memory include:Writing with a penTyping on a keyboardPlaying basketballPlaying pianoSwimmingPreparing simple mealsHow Procedural Memories Are FormedProcedural memories form when connections are made between synapses, the gaps at the end of a neuron that allow signals to pass. The more frequently an action is performed, the more often signals are sent through those same synapses. Over time, these synaptic routes become stronger and the actions themselves becomeunconsciousandautomatic.A number of brain structures are involved in the formation and maintenance of procedural memories. Thecerebellum, for example, is associated with coordinating movements and fine motor skills required for many activities such as drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, writing, and sculpting. The limbic system, another area of the brain, also coordinates many processes involved inmemoryandlearning.Disorders That May Affect Procedural MemoryCertain brain-based disorders or conditions may impact procedural memory, potentially leading to deficits.Parkinson’s diseaseis one.People who’ve had a stroke may also notice procedural memory issues. However, some research indicates that procedural memory can be improved for stroke patients.Not every brain-based condition appears to affect procedural memory. For instance, a 2021 review found that, while some studies have connectedAlzheimer’s diseasewith procedural memory issues, the overall research suggests that this type of memory may actually remain intact when Alzheimer’s dementia exists.A 2019 study involving 36 people with a moderate-to-severetraumatic brain injury(TBI) also found that there wasn’t much difference in their procedural memory when compared to people without a TBI.It may even be possible for mental health disorders to impact procedural memory. For example, one study found that people withmajor depressive disordermay experience procedural memory impairments, potentially due to slow sleep spindle activity.Procedural Memory vs. Declarative MemoryProcedural memory is just one memory type. Another type of long-term memory is declarative memory.Declarative MemoryDeclarative memories are things that you intentionally remember and that require conscious effort to recall.Also known as explicit memory, this type of memory involves things such as remembering information for a test, remembering that you have an upcoming dentist appointment, and knowing your home address.Procedural MemoryProcedural memory is considered a type ofimplicit memory. Implicit memories are those that form without effort.When the lyrics to a popular song get stuck in your head, that’s an example of implicit memory at work. You haven’t expended any effort to learn the lyrics and melody of the song. Simply hearing it in the background as you go about your day leads to the formation of implicit memory.A procedural memory or implicit memory is often difficult to explain. If someone asked you how you drive a car or ride a bike, for example, you might struggle to put it into words. If they asked you how to drive to your house, however, you would probably be able to articulate the route fairly easily.Remembering the physical process of how to do something like drive a car is a procedural memory (implicit memory) while remembering the route you have to take to get somewhere is a declarative memory (explicit memory).How to Improve Procedural MemoryIf you’re interested in improving your procedural memory, these strategies can help:Get adequate sleep: Research indicates that sleep has positive effects on procedural memory in healthy individuals.So, developingsleep-promoting habits and behaviorsmay help improve this type of memory.Practice sequential actions: Practicing actions that follow the same steps each time can also help you improve procedural memory.An example would be repeatedly playing the same song on a musical instrument.Work on your motor skills: Strong motor skills appear to have a protective effect against age-related procedural memory decline.To take advantage of this effect, regularly perform actions that require muscle coordination, such as throwing a ball or buttoning a button.Flashbulb Memory: What to Know About Vivid Recall

Procedural memory, also called implicit memory, is a type oflong-term memoryinvolved in the performance of different actions and skills. Essentially, it is the memory of how to do certain things. Riding a bike, tying your shoes, and cooking an omelet without a recipe are all examples of procedural memories.

How Procedural Memory Works

Procedural memories start to form very early in life as you begin to learn how to walk, talk, eat, and play. These memories become so ingrained that they are almost automatic. You do not need to consciously think about how to perform these motor skills; you simply do them without much, if any, thought.

While it is easy to demonstrate these actions, explaining how and where you learned them can be much more difficult. In many cases, you learn these skills during early childhood. Learning how to walk is one great example.

Once this action is learned, you do not need to consciously remind yourself of how the process works. Your procedural memory takes over and allows you to perform the skill without thinking about it. For activities like learning how to drive or ride a bike, you simply practice them so often that they become ingrained.

Procedural Memory Examples

You use procedural memory for a variety of actions. Examples of things you might do that involve procedural memory include:

How Procedural Memories Are Formed

Procedural memories form when connections are made between synapses, the gaps at the end of a neuron that allow signals to pass. The more frequently an action is performed, the more often signals are sent through those same synapses. Over time, these synaptic routes become stronger and the actions themselves becomeunconsciousandautomatic.

A number of brain structures are involved in the formation and maintenance of procedural memories. Thecerebellum, for example, is associated with coordinating movements and fine motor skills required for many activities such as drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, writing, and sculpting. The limbic system, another area of the brain, also coordinates many processes involved inmemoryandlearning.

Disorders That May Affect Procedural Memory

Certain brain-based disorders or conditions may impact procedural memory, potentially leading to deficits.Parkinson’s diseaseis one.People who’ve had a stroke may also notice procedural memory issues. However, some research indicates that procedural memory can be improved for stroke patients.

Not every brain-based condition appears to affect procedural memory. For instance, a 2021 review found that, while some studies have connectedAlzheimer’s diseasewith procedural memory issues, the overall research suggests that this type of memory may actually remain intact when Alzheimer’s dementia exists.

A 2019 study involving 36 people with a moderate-to-severetraumatic brain injury(TBI) also found that there wasn’t much difference in their procedural memory when compared to people without a TBI.

It may even be possible for mental health disorders to impact procedural memory. For example, one study found that people withmajor depressive disordermay experience procedural memory impairments, potentially due to slow sleep spindle activity.

Procedural Memory vs. Declarative Memory

Procedural memory is just one memory type. Another type of long-term memory is declarative memory.

Declarative Memory

Declarative memories are things that you intentionally remember and that require conscious effort to recall.Also known as explicit memory, this type of memory involves things such as remembering information for a test, remembering that you have an upcoming dentist appointment, and knowing your home address.

Procedural Memory

Procedural memory is considered a type ofimplicit memory. Implicit memories are those that form without effort.When the lyrics to a popular song get stuck in your head, that’s an example of implicit memory at work. You haven’t expended any effort to learn the lyrics and melody of the song. Simply hearing it in the background as you go about your day leads to the formation of implicit memory.

A procedural memory or implicit memory is often difficult to explain. If someone asked you how you drive a car or ride a bike, for example, you might struggle to put it into words. If they asked you how to drive to your house, however, you would probably be able to articulate the route fairly easily.

Remembering the physical process of how to do something like drive a car is a procedural memory (implicit memory) while remembering the route you have to take to get somewhere is a declarative memory (explicit memory).

How to Improve Procedural Memory

If you’re interested in improving your procedural memory, these strategies can help:

Flashbulb Memory: What to Know About Vivid Recall

9 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.

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Pavol M, Bassile C, Lehman J, et al.Modified approach to stroke rehabilitation (MAStR): feasability study of a method to apply procedural memory concepts to transfer training.Topics Stroke Rehab. 2018;25(5):351-358. doi:10.1080/10749357.2018.1458462

De Wit L, Marsiske M, O’Shea D, et al.Procedural learning in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s Dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neuropsychol Rev. 2021;31:103-114. doi:10.1007/s11065-020-09449-1

Rigon A, Klooster N, Crooks S, Duff M.Procedural memory following moderate-severe traumatic brain injury: Group performance and individual differences on the rotary pursuit task.Front Hum Neurosci. 2019;13:251. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00251

Nishida M, Nakashima Y, Nishikawa T.Slow sleep spindle and procedural memory consolidation in patients with major depressive disorder.Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:63-72. doi:10.2147/NSS.S100337

Simor P, Zavecz Z. Horvath K, et al.Deconstructing procedural memory: Different learning trajectories and consolidation of sequence and statistical learning.Front Psychol. 2019;9:2708. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02708

Muller N, Genzel L, Konrad B, et al.Motor skills enhance procedural memory formation and protect against age-related decline.PLoS One. 2016;11(6):e0157770. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157770

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