Difference Between Episodic Memory and Semantic Memory
Core difference
The main difference between these two types of memories, namely episodic memory and semantic memory, is that episodic memory is entirely associated with the recollection of personal events, while semantic memory refers to those events that are not personal. absolutely. It’s about the outside world.
Comparison chart
Basis of Distinction | episodic memory | semantic memory |
Definition | The memory part deals with remembering specific events and experiences on a personal level only. | The memory part deals with remembering those facts, events and experiences that are related to the external world. |
Fountain | Sensation | Understanding |
Units | events and episodes | Facts, ideas and concepts |
Organization | Temporary | Conceptual |
Reference | Me | Universe |
truthfulness | personal belief | social agreement |
Record | Experimental | Symbolic |
episodic memory
Episodic memory is a type of memory totally associated with autobiographical events that can be stated explicitly. Episodic memory is actually the collection of past events and experiences that happened at a particular time and place. This can be better understood by the example when a person remembers an event that happened at a party. This memory of the event compels the individual to travel into the past to remember the event that happened at that particular time and place. Establishing an episodic memory involves several steps, each of which involves a separate system of the brain. Naturally, a person capable of linking any particular detail to an episodic memory such as how he felt, judge, time, place, and other details. It is completely different from semantic memory in one sense, it is totally associated with the person’s personal memory about his personal events and recollections only. The main components involved in the process of episodic memory are the memory of the specific event. Recall is basically the process of recalling information related to a particular experience or event that has already occurred. It is worth noting here that it is a person’s unique memory of a specific event and will be different from other people in the same events and experiences. Recall is basically the process of recalling information related to a particular experience or event that has already occurred. It is worth noting here that it is a person’s unique memory of a specific event and will be different from other people in the same events and experiences. Recall is basically the process of recalling information related to a particular experience or event that has already occurred. It is worth noting here that it is a person’s unique memory of a specific event and will be different from other people in the same events and experiences.
Semantic memory itself is derived from episodic memory and deals with large memory problems compared to episodic memory. Compared to episodic memory which is more generalized towards too many personal experiences, semantic memory is about the structured record of concepts, information, knowledge and meanings about those matters of the external world that a person has acquired. It refers to that factual knowledge and matters that a person shares with others and that do not depend entirely on personal experiences. Scientists called it the long-term part of our memory because we sometimes take the time to remember it, since it’s not just associated with our personal experiences and events. You can call about what happened at your birthday party six years ago, but it will be difficult for you to remember the entire syllabus while trying for the annual exam. We can learn new ideas by implementing our already learned knowledge. The encoding process involved in both semantic and episodic memory is similar, but the end result is different due to the application of different recall techniques. In short, if a person has information from semantic memory, they have learned it, either directly or indirectly, in the past, but they do not know the mnemonic information about how they got it and what the learning episode was. The encoding process involved in both semantic and episodic memory is similar, but the end result is different due to the application of different recall techniques. In short, if a person has information from semantic memory, they have learned it, either directly or indirectly, in the past, but they do not know the mnemonic information about how they got it and what the learning episode was. The encoding process involved in both semantic and episodic memory is similar, but the end result is different due to the application of different recall techniques. In short, if a person has information from semantic memory, they have learned it, either directly or indirectly, in the past, but they do not know the mnemonic information about how they got it and what the learning episode was.
Key differences
- The effect of episodic memory is greater than semantic memory.
- The internal capacity in the case of episodic memory is limited compared to semantic memory which is very rich.
- Semantic memory has limited succinct knowledge, while episodic memory has complete knowledge, but that is too inaccessible.
- In semantic memory, the learning process involves multiple exposures, while episodic memory deals with the rapid learning process with exposure.
- Episodic includes the automatic awareness and mental re-experience of an earlier moment in the past. On the other hand, semantic memory does not have autonoesis or mental time travel.
- Episodic memory has a temporal co-occurrence of two words such as A and B, while semantic memory involves a meaningful relationship between two words, the association A and B.
- Episodic memory is about us, while semantic memory is just about the facts.
- Semantic memory involves knowing, while episodic memory involves remembering.
- Semantic memory develops episodic memory first, while episodic memory develops after semantic memory.
- Episodic memory is oriented to the past while semantic memory is oriented to the past.
- Semantic memory mainly activates frontal and temporal cortices, while episodic memory activity is concentrated in the hippocampus, at least initially.
- In semantic memory, information is retrieved from the past, while episodic memory is the absence of retrieval of information about the past.
- Episodic memory is typically assessed using word completion, restricted association, and free association tasks. Semantic memory is typically assessed by a recall, recognition, and cued recall test.
- In episodic memory, the tests are incidental as the subjects perform an orientation or on task and are not informed about a subsequent memory test. In semantic memory, the test is intentional, as subjects are instructed to pay attention to the material that is presented for further testing of their memory.
- Episodic memory is a direct form of memory, while semantic memory is an indirect form of memory.
- Learning can be fast in the case of semantic memory, while learning is usually slow and incremental, but sometimes fast in the case of episodic memory.
- Episodic memory is a type of nonverbal memory, while semantic memory is a type of verbal memory.