What about “space” is important for episodic memory?

Abstract

Early cognitive neuroscientific research revealed that the hippocampus is crucial for spatial navigation in rodents, and for autobiographical episodic memory in humans. Researchers quickly linked these streams to propose that the human hippocampus supports memory through its role in representing space, and research on the link between spatial cognition and episodic memory in humans has proliferated over the past several decades. Different researchers apply the term "spatial" in a variety of contexts, however, and it remains unclear what aspect of space may be critical to memory. Similarly, "episodic" has been defined and tested in different ways. Naturalistic assessment of spatial memory and episodic memory (i.e., episodic autobiographical memory) is required to unify the scale and biological relevance in comparisons of spatial and mnemonic processing. Limitations regarding the translation of rodent to human research, human ontogeny, and inter-individual variability require greater consideration in the interpretation of this literature. In this review, we outline the aspects of space that are (and are not) commonly linked to episodic memory, and then we discuss these dimensions through the lens of individual differences in naturalistic autobiographical memory. Future studies should carefully consider which aspect(s) of space are being linked to memory within the context of naturalistic human cognition.

The interdisciplinary science of autobiographical memory

“…This interdisciplinary approach is further implemented within each of the 12 contributions. Indeed, Barry et al (2023) present an intersection between clinical and cognitive psychology, Bulteau et al (2023) bring cognitive psychology and psychiatry together, while Fan et al (2023) is based on both neurosciences and experimental psychology.…”

“…The link between autobiographical memory and the self is assessed through the perspectives of function and dysfunction by Brown (2023) and by Bulteau et al (2023), respectively. Similarly, autobiographical specificity is addressed within the framework of psychiatry (by Barry et al, 2023; Brown, 2023; Bulteau et al, 2023) and neurology (by Fan et al, 2023; Irish, 2023; Kaiser & Berntsen, 2023; Markowitsch & Staniloiu, 2023). As for autobiographical memory, it is investigated through the perspectives of developmental psychology (Fivush & Grysman, 2023), social psychology (Heux et al, 2023), experimental psychology (Sow et al, 2023), and philosophy (Moulin et al, 2023).…”

“…Autobiographical memory does not only involve time, it also involves space, as shown by Fan et al (2023) who dedicate their contribution to the study of space. In their article, Fan et al (2023) outline the aspects of space that are linked to memory and discuss these dimensions through the lens of individual differences in naturalistic autobiographical memory.…”

“…Autobiographical memory does not only involve time, it also involves space, as shown by Fan et al (2023) who dedicate their contribution to the study of space. In their article, Fan et al (2023) outline the aspects of space that are linked to memory and discuss these dimensions through the lens of individual differences in naturalistic autobiographical memory. Fan et al (2023) outline key dimensions of spatial cognition (including familiarity or prior exposure to the environment, allocentric vs. egocentric orientation, and scale) that are involved differently in autobiographical retrieval.…”

“…In their article, Fan et al (2023) outline the aspects of space that are linked to memory and discuss these dimensions through the lens of individual differences in naturalistic autobiographical memory. Fan et al (2023) outline key dimensions of spatial cognition (including familiarity or prior exposure to the environment, allocentric vs. egocentric orientation, and scale) that are involved differently in autobiographical retrieval. For instance, the type of space that is important for memory may differ depending on the phase of memory (i.e., encoding, generation, retrieval, elaboration).…”