What are episodic memories primarily characterized by?

Episodic memories are primarily characterized by the recollection of specific events that are tied to particular times and places. This type of memory allows individuals to recall personal experiences, including contextual details such as when and where they occurred. For example, remembering a birthday party you attended when you were ten years old includes vivid details about that specific event, the emotions felt, and the setting.

In contrast, memories related to skill acquisition relate more to procedural memory, which encompasses how to perform tasks rather than recalling specific episodes. Non-recallable memories do not fit the episodic memory framework, as episodic memory is defined by the ability to consciously retrieve and articulate those past experiences. Lastly, generalized memories are often reflective of semantic memory, which is concerned with facts and general knowledge rather than the unique, contextualized nature of episodic memories. Therefore, the focus on specific events with a time and place uniquely defines episodic memory.