Autobiographical memory is the memory of personally experienced past events that are significant to the person and constitute one’s personal history. It is an ability that emerges gradually across the preschool years and is important for one’s sense of well-being and self-understanding. This entry begins by describing important characteristics of autobiographical memory and its value in everyday life, followed by a brief overview of its development in context.

Autobiographical Memory as Mental Time Travel

Autobiographical memory (AM) involves episodic memories of personally experienced past events that are explicit and located in a specific place and time, are organized along a timeline, and constitute a person’s life story or personal history. AM is considered an advanced human ability distinct from memory of facts or skills. It develops in ...

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