Declarative memory

Declarative memory is a circumstance in which a person intentionally attempts to recall information and occurrences. A comparable concept to declarative memory is explicit memory, which emphasizes the fact that these memories are retrieved with a person's complete awareness. A person's ordinary daily activities are the outcome of declarative memory action. Typically, memories are first stored and then recovered; the medial temporal lobe is at the heart of this operation (MTL). If this organ in the brain is injured, a person will experience a disorder known as anterograde amnesia. Such a person will struggle to form fresh memories for actions and things that occur around them. In the same vein, declarative memory is much more expressed verbally using words. To note also is the fact that this kind of memory declines as a person ages.

On the other hand, non-declarative memory operates outside the scope of the medial temporal lobe. Typically referred to as implicitly memory, it usually works without the full awareness of an individual. An individual uses this kind of memory without any effort and no intention whatsoever. The areas of the brain responsible for the operation of this type of memory is the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and the cortical areas (May, 2013). A person who has damaged their cortical areas will exhibit a condition referred to as visual priming impairment. Also, classical conditioning, as well as procedural memory, are conditions brought about by the damage of the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. This kind of memory does not change much with aging, and an example is riding a bicycle.

References

May, C. P., & Einstein, G. O. A Five-Day Unit Lesson Plan for High School Psychology Teachers.