Hey guys,
How would you compare and contrast implicit and explicit memories? I know something to contrast would be explicit requires conscious retrieval whereas implicit doesn't. What are some similarities or some more differences?
Implicit memory doesn't require conscious or intentional retrieval, whereas in explicit memory information is intentionally or consciously retrieved and stated.
This is the most basic answer that would probably give you 2 marks. If the question says to include an example, then do so. You can also include the types of implicit and explicit memories (e.g. classically conditioned, procedural for implicit and episodic, semantic for explicit). In psych, usually you only need to put the two definitions together and add a comparison word in between when it asks you to compare two things. You don't need to actually find specific differences or similarities unless the question is worded like that.
However, if you aren't answering an actual question and you're looking at how they're different/same, these apply:
- where they are stored in the brain
- how they are affected by brain damage, and what types of brain damage
- which one is likely to be forgotten quicker (with age)
- how they can be tested (e.g. explicit memories can be tested through recall and recognition)
^my understanding of what our teacher has taught us.