Autobiographical memory is made up of episodic memory (events that have occurred) and semantic memory, which concerns general knowledge about one’s own life (names of classmates, one’s favorite color or food…).

Autobiographical memory therefore encompasses both general knowledge about our past – character traits, preferences, names of people around us – and addresses, which form part of the semantic component, as well as specific, dated and localized events, which form part of the episodic component, and are associated with a range of perceptual and sensory details (images, emotions, smells, sensations, perceptions…).

What is autobiographical memory?

An autobiographical memory is not a faithful reconstruction of an actual event. It involves a dynamic reconstruction process based on three types of knowledge, organized hierarchically from the most general to the most specific. These levels form autobiographical memory.

On the one hand, life periods, measured in years or decades, contain general information about the places, actors, goals and plans specific to each period. For example, the high school period is characterized by a general thematic content (generic images of teachers and classrooms) and by a defined duration (a precise beginning and end).

On the other hand, general events are measured in days, weeks or months, and relate to more specific episodes that may be either repeated (e.g. weekends at my grandmother’s) or one-off, lasting more than a day (e.g. my weekend in Italy).

Finally, the details of specific events, measured in seconds, minutes or hours, correspond to the phenomenological register (as perceived) of memories. These are images, feelings, smells…

Autobiographical memory disorders

Autobiographical memory disorders can be of different kinds. There may be difficulties in storing new memories, so the person remembers life before the illness, but is unable to memorize new information.

The person may also have difficulty remembering past experiences, but can store new information. There is also a mixed form, where the person has difficulty with both past and new memories.

Autobiographical memory disorders are often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Depending on the stage of the disease, different symptoms may occur.

Exercises to train and improve autobiographical memory

Training your autobiographical memory may seem difficult because it’s linked to your own memories, but it’s not!

To improve your autobiographical memory, try making associations. For example, when you listen to a song, try to remember how old you were when it came out, or an occasion when you’ve heard it before.

This activity can also help to store new information. For example, when you watch a film, you can associate the actor with a period in your life. It will be easier to remember the actor’s name since you’ve made a logical association.

• Mamie Cuisine
• Brainstorming
• Around the world
• A Card A Date
• Musical ear

Indeed, it’s from our practical experiences that we create most of our memories, and therefore general knowledge.

Autobiographical memory can therefore store several types of information:

1. Autobiographical knowledge

This is all personal information, from our practical experience. Information can be related to something about ourselves and our personality, but also information about things we know how to do or have already done in the past.

2. Creating environmental contexts

Thanks to our autobiographical memory, we can recreate the context in which an event took place.

Creating a context helps us to have more coherent and accurate memories. Creating an environmental context also increases the amount of information linked to an event, enabling us to retrieve other memories and information.

3. Mental representation

Autobiographical memory enables us to relive a memory or experience through mental images.

Indeed, when we think of something, we create an image of it in our heads. The ability to create mental representations is very useful, as it gives us more information about the event and makes it easier to share with others.

4. Sensory and perceptual cues

Our experiences are always accompanied by sensory and perceptual details.

We’re always surrounded by colors, smells, tastes, sounds and tactile sensations. All this information makes our experience stronger, and it’s often these details that we remember rather than the overall experience.

We have seen that autobiographical memory is a combination of episodic and semantic memory.

So it’s important to work on your general memory if you want to improve your autobiographical memory too.

SCARLETT

An easy and adapted version for seniors

LANGUAGE PROGRAM

For 4 weeks, follow our program to work on language by playing our specially selected games for 15 minutes a day.

Organizing memories in a life journal

• • Write a biography: Take the time to write your own biography, detailing the milestones in your life. This helps you organize your memories and remember them better.

  • Use newspapers or letters: Reread old newspapers or letters to revive memories and put them into context.

Take breaks to reminisce

• • Recall a daily event: Every night, before going to bed, think of a moment from your day and try to relive it mentally, adding sensory details (sight, sound, etc.). This helps reinforce recent autobiographical memories.

  • Focus on childhood memories: Choose a particular memory from your childhood and concentrate on it, trying to remember where you were, with whom, and how you felt. This helps reinforce distant memories.

Create a complete story of your life

• • • Write a “diary of significant events”: Every week, write down a significant event in your life and how it has influenced your life. This helps you structure your memories and strengthen your autobiographical memory.

    • Use life maps: Draw a “life map” where you mark key moments in your life, linking events to specific dates. This helps you to see the big picture and remember key events.