procedural memory
How-to knowledge storage
Procedural memory is the type of memory that stores how to do things—riding a bike, typing, tying shoes.
Unlike declarative memory (facts and events you can consciously recall), procedural memory operates largely without conscious awareness.
Once skills become procedural, they feel automatic: After years of driving, shifting gears is pure procedural memory.
Subcortical motor-control nuclei
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
- motor cortexBrain region controlling movement
- striatumSubcortical basal ganglia nucleus
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
plasticity · neural pathway · implicit · acquisition · retention · consolidation · encoding · hippocampus
Self-generating action capacity
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- executionCompleting a planned task
coordination · precision · dexterity · mastery · speed · accuracy · consistency · effortless
Repeated work toward mastery
- repetitionAct of redoing
- drillHole-boring device
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
reinforcement · trial and error · feedback · chunking · overlearning · transfer · generalization · extinction
Pedaling a two-wheeler
- typingEntering text via keyboard
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- drivingControlling a vehicle
- playing pianoOperating a keyboard instrument
knitting · juggling · dancing · skating · gymnastics · martial arts · chopsticks · signing
basal ganglia
Subcortical motor-control nuclei
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
- motor cortexBrain region controlling movement
- striatumSubcortical basal ganglia nucleus
synapse · plasticity · neural pathway · implicit · acquisition · retention · consolidation · encoding · hippocampus · dopamine
automaticity
Self-generating action capacity
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
execution · coordination · precision · dexterity · mastery · speed · accuracy · consistency · effortless · unconscious
practice
Repeated work toward mastery
- repetitionAct of redoing
- drillHole-boring device
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
conditioning · reinforcement · trial and error · feedback · chunking · overlearning · transfer · generalization · extinction · relearning
riding a bike
Pedaling a two-wheeler
playing piano · knitting · juggling · dancing · skating · gymnastics · martial arts · chopsticks · signing · touch typing
brushing teeth
Cleaning mouth with bristles
makeup · eating · walking · cooking · cleaning · flossing · buttoning · zipping · pouring · stirring
memory, procedure, memorial, memento, procedures, mnemonic, procedural, mementos, mnemonics