Which memory type is the sum of episodic and semantic memories, reflecting a person's life story?

Which memory type is the sum of episodic and semantic memories, reflecting a person's life story?

• A. Episodic memory
• B. Semantic memory
• C. Autobiographical memory
• D. Procedural memory

Answer: (C)

Autobiographical memory is the personal story you carry about yourself. It blends episodic memories, which are memories of specific events with details like where and when they happened, with semantic memories about yourself—facts and knowledge you hold about who you are, where you grew up, and key life details. Together, these form a coherent life narrative that gives you a sense of continuity and identity. For example, recalling your high school graduation (an episode) while also knowing that you were born in a particular city (personal semantic knowledge) creates a memory that feels rooted in your life story. This is why it’s described as the sum of episodic and semantic memories. Episodic memory alone covers events, not the broader self-knowledge; semantic memory alone covers general knowledge about yourself without the specific life-event context; procedural memory covers how to do things (skills) and isn’t about your personal life story.

Autobiographical memory is the personal story you carry about yourself. It blends episodic memories, which are memories of specific events with details like where and when they happened, with semantic memories about yourself—facts and knowledge you hold about who you are, where you grew up, and key life details. Together, these form a coherent life narrative that gives you a sense of continuity and identity.

For example, recalling your high school graduation (an episode) while also knowing that you were born in a particular city (personal semantic knowledge) creates a memory that feels rooted in your life story. This is why it’s described as the sum of episodic and semantic memories.

Episodic memory alone covers events, not the broader self-knowledge; semantic memory alone covers general knowledge about yourself without the specific life-event context; procedural memory covers how to do things (skills) and isn’t about your personal life story.