Forget about the technical jargon, we all use explicit memory and knowing more about it can improve the way we consume information.

So, why do you need to know about explicit memory as a layman?

The answer is not far-fetched. If you know about explicit memory, it will be easier to know how to improve it.

In addition, we have observed that articles available on this subject is usually too complex for a novice to comprehend and that is another reason we need an article like this.

So, what is explicit memory?
Explicit memory (also known as declarative memory in some quarters) is the form of memory that emanates from consciousness. Explicit memory requires conscious effort from an individual to come into play. Explicit memory is one of the two main forms of long-term memory. The other being implicit memory.
We will employ some examples to better understand what explicit memories are.

Examples of explicit memory events:

1. Recalling the type of dress you wore yesterday.
2. Recalling the name of countries you have been to in your life.
3. Answering an examination question.

Many times, explicit memory involves conscious efforts to recollect facts/events.

To further explain explicit memory, let us explain what it is not. Explicit memory is not subconscious and it is not automatic. This is what differentiates it from implicit memory.

In other words, actions like driving a car (for someone who already knows how to drive it) will fall under implicit memory. This is because when you know how to drive a car, the driving becomes automatic and you don’t consciously remember whether to press the brake or the accelerator.

Types of Explicit Memory

This guide will not be complete if we don’t mention the various types of explicit memory. The following are the various types of explicit memory we have.

1. Episodic memory: This is a type of explicit memory that involves recollecting the past in the form of episodes. This is the type of memory we use when recollecting events that happen to us in the past.

Generally, Episodic memory is used when we want to recall personal facts, that is, facts/events that happen to us. Whenever you are trying to recall and re-experience a past event, you are putting the episodic memory into action.

Episodic memory also includes the location (spatial) and time (temporal) of the event.

2. Semantic memory: This is a type of memory that comes into play when you are trying to remember general facts. Semantic memory has to do with your memory of general facts, language, and concepts.

For example, when you are trying to remember the meaning of a word, you are using your semantic memory. However, if you are trying to remember the day you first heard a word and what happened that day then you are are using your episodic memory.

Semantic memory is the part of long-term memory that has the collections of all the general facts, language, and concepts you have gathered throughout your life.

3. Autobiographical memory: To put it simply, autobiographical memory is a type of explicit memory that requires episodic and semantic memory to work together.

Autobiographical memory is closely related to episodic memory. This means it is also the collection of past events/experiences. However, unlike episodic memory, semantic memory is also included in autobiographical memory.
Autobiographical memory is a collection of memories we have formed during the course of our lifetime. This type of memory generally involves:

1. Past events in our lifetime e.g. our graduation day in college (an example of episodic memory).
2. Names of items or people we have memorized over time (an example of semantic memory).

We can jokingly say that autobiographical memory is the memory you would need when writing your autobiography.

4. Spatial memory: As the name implies, this is the form of explicit memory that we use when trying to navigate a familiar place. This type of memory stores information that relates to location and orientation.

We can probably call spatial memory a map memory.

If we are to summarize types of explicit memory using a story, the story would look like this.

Let us assume we need to tell a story of how you will use your explicit memory (types) when visiting a friend (a man) in a village.

You will need spatial memory to navigate your way to your friend’s place in his village.

You will need semantic memory to address your village friend by name when you see him.

You will need episodic memory to narrate your village’s experience afterward.

And finally, if you ever decide to write your autobiography in the future, you will need autobiographical memory to tell your experience in the village.

Enough on types of explicit memory, let us go to something more crucial.

Can We Improve Explicit Memory?

The short answer is Yes!

In fact, many times, we assign brilliance to people based on how well they are able to use their explicit memory. When you call someone a brilliant person, it is often because they are able to remember facts and events at will.

Remembering facts and events involve explicit memory. We need not say one can improve one’s ability to remember facts and events.

How to Improve Your Explicit Memory

It is interesting to know that explicit memory can be greatly improved by the combination of some tips and methods. Some of these methods/tips are discussed below:

1. Pay Attention to details

This is a very important step to take if you want to increase your explicit memory. It will be difficult to improve your explicit memory if you don’t put enough attention to details. How can you remember a fact or an event if you have not put proper attention to learning it in the first place?

When you have a problem paying attention, it usually means you have a cluttered mind, therefore, you may need to declutter your mind to be able to put attention to what is needed. To declutter your mind, do the following:

• Get a pencil and paper write down all that is bothering you.
• Divide all that you have written in step one into two groups viz:

(a) What you can control (b) What you can’t control

• Write simple solutions to all those things you can control and commit yourself to working on the solutions. As for those things you can’t, direct them to the appropriate quarters or leave them as they are.
• Work on these solutions now!

After you have decluttered your mind, you should be able to focus and put attention on what is needed.
Remember, paying attention is a skill and you can learn it. Always try to put your mind in what you are doing and see how great your memory can become!
To learn more about how attention affects memory, please read this article.

2. Associate Facts/Events

You can greatly improve your explicit memory by associating what you know with what you don’t know. For example, you can remember the name of a friend if you associate the name with someone you already know.

For example, if the name you are trying to remember is Steve, It will be easier to
remember the name if another friend of yours (or one member of your family) is bearing that name.
As a rule, whenever possible, always try to associate a piece of new information with the one you already have in your memory.

3. Use visualization to remember facts/events

Visualization involves visualizing a fact or an event that you want to remember with your mind’s eye. When done properly, you can use this method to remember almost anything. You can read more about this method of memory hack here.

4. Use a story to remember a fact/event

You can turn a fact you are trying to remember into a story. Stories are usually interesting to us and it is usually easier to recall them. It appears that you can boost your memory of things by transforming them into stories.

For example, if you started reading this article from the top, you will see that we created a story after discussing the various types of explicit memory. The story was about you visiting a friend in a village. Please refer to the story for details.

In a nutshell, whenever possible, always try to form a mental story of the information you want to remember.

5. Exercise your body

Exercise helps many aspects of our life, and memory is one of them.

In one article published on Harvard, it was said that “exercise helps memory and thinking through both direct and indirect means.” ⁽¹⁾

Exercise can also possibly lead to improved thinking among people with cognitive impairment.⁽²⁾

In addition, exercise can improve the quality of your life if you have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.⁽³⁾

6. Eat memory foods

We need not mention that what you eat affects your brain. Eating the kinds of food that have been shown to help memory is another way to sharpen your explicit memory.
Food items like blueberries, walnuts and olive oil have been shown to help the memory. You will also benefit from eating balanced diets.

7. Have a positive mental attitude towards your memory

Having a good thought about your memory may help. It is usually a great idea to believe that you have a great memory. Telling yourself that your memory is poor may only worsen your memory/explicit memory.
Believing that you have a great memory will probably make you want to learn more and show your memory skills. This will make you want to take memory challenges.

Learning more and taking memory challenges tend to increase your explicit memory in the long-run.

8. Learn a new language

When you learn a new language, you will be putting your semantic memory (a type of explicit memory) to work. This means that by the time you finish learning the new language, your semantic memory would have increased.
Also, when learning a new language, a lot of focus (attention) is usually required. For example, when learning a new language, it is usually crucial you focus your attention on the new words in order to commit them to memory. This means that it is likely you would have sharpened your attention before you finish learning the language.
Learning a new language also involves some level of discipline, it is likely that before you successfully finish learning a new language, your level of discipline would have increased. If you are disciplined, it would be easier to be committed to using all the methods of memory improvement mentioned in this article.

9. Use memory cue whenever possible

Memory cue involves using a part to represent a whole. It involves using a signal to bring an event, fact, or item to mind.

For example, if you want to remember to pick your daughter at school before you go home, you may put an item she loves (like chocolate, ice cream, etc.) within your sight. When you see the item, your daughter will come to mind.
Another example is to use a password hint to remember the password you have used on a website or an app.

In conclusion, we strongly believe that you should be able to increase your explicit memory by following some of the methods or tips mentioned above.
Please, if there is any method or tip on improving explicit memory not mentioned here, we will appreciate if you can add it using the comment section.

That said, we believe you have learned a lot about explicit memory reading this guide. We also believe that we have been able to simplify the technical jargon called “explicit memory”.
If you want us to add any other information about explicit memory, please do so using the comment box.

P.S. Don’t forget to share this article if you find it useful.

References:

1. Godman, H. (2014). Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills – Harvard Health Blog. [online] Harvard Health Blog. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110 [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].
2. Mayo Clinic. (2019). Can exercise prevent memory loss in Alzheimer’s?. [online] Available at: https://kcms-prod-mcorg.mayo.edu/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-disease/faq-20057881 [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].
3. Publishing, H. (2019). Exercise: A promising treatment for dementia? – Harvard Health. (Online) Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-a-promising-treatment-for-dementia [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].