What type of implicit memory involves motor skills and behavioral habits?

Procedural memory is a type of implicit memory that specifically involves the learning and retention of motor skills and behavioral habits. This form of memory enables individuals to perform tasks without conscious awareness of the learned skills. For example, riding a bicycle, typing on a keyboard, or playing a musical instrument are activities that rely heavily on procedural memory. The knowledge gained through practice and repetition becomes automatic, allowing for smooth performance without actively thinking about the steps involved.

In contrast, explicit memory refers to the conscious recollection of information, whereas episodic memory relates to specific events and experiences in one’s life, and semantic memory involves the storage and recall of facts and general knowledge about the world. None of these options captures the essential function of procedural memory, which is fundamentally about learning actions and habits rather than factual or event-based knowledge. This distinction is important in understanding the organization of different types of memory in cognitive psychology.