SECTION 4

Today, we'll be continuing the series of lectures on memory by focusing on what is called episodic memory and what can happen if this is not working properly.

今天，我们将继续关于记忆的系列讲座，重点是情景记忆，以及如果情景记忆不起作用会发生什么。

Episodic memory refers to the memory of an event or 'episode'.

情景记忆是指对事件或“情节”的记忆。

Episodic memories allow us to mentally travel back in time to an event from the past.

情景记忆可以让我们在脑海中回到过去的某个事件。

Episodic memories include various details about these events, for example, when an event happened and other information such as the location.

情景记忆包括关于这些事件的各种细节，例如，事件发生的时间和其他信息，如地点。

To help understand this concept, try to remember the last time you ate dinner at a restaurant.

为了帮助理解这个概念，试着记住你最后一次在餐馆吃饭是什么时候。

The ability to remember where you ate, who you were with and the items you ordered are all features of an episodic memory.

情景记忆的特点是能够记住你在哪里吃饭，你和谁在一起，你点了什么菜。

Episodic memory is distinct from another type of memory called semantic memory.

情景记忆不同于另一种记忆，即语义记忆。

This is the type of factual memory that we have in common with everyone else - that is your general knowledge of the world.

这是一种我们与其他人共同拥有的事实记忆——即你对世界的一般认识。

To build upon a previous example, remembering where you parked your car is an example of episodic memory, but your understanding of what a car is and how an engine works are examples of semantic memory.

在上一个例子的基础上，记住你把车停在哪里是情景记忆的一个例子，但是你对汽车是什么以及引擎如何工作的理解是语义记忆的例子。

Unlike episodic memory, semantic memory isn't dependent on recalling personal experiences.

与情景记忆不同，语义记忆不依赖于回忆个人经历。

Episodic memory can be thought of as a process with several different steps of memory processing: encoding, consolidation and retrieval.

情景记忆可以看作是一个有几个不同记忆处理步骤的过程：编码、巩固和检索。

The initial step is called encoding.

第一个步骤称为编码。

This involves the process of receiving and registering information, which is necessary for creating memories of information or events that you experience.

这涉及到接收和录入信息的过程，这对于创建你所经历的信息或事件的记忆是必要的。

The degree to which you can successfully encode information depends on the level of attention you give to an event while it's actually happening.

成功编码信息的程度取决于事件实际发生时所给予的关注程度。

Being distracted can make effective encoding very difficult.

分心会使有效编码变得非常困难。

Encoding of episodic memories is also influenced by how you process the event.

情景记忆的编码也受到你如何处理事件的影响。

For example, if you were introduced to someone called Charlie, you might make the connection that your uncle has the same name.

例如，如果你被介绍给一个叫查理的人，你可以把你叔叔的名字联系起来。

Future recollection of Charlie's name is much easier if you have a strategy to help you encode it.

如果你有一种策略来帮助你对查理的名字进行编码，那么将来对查理名字的记忆就会容易得多。

Memory consolidation, the next step in forming an episodic memory, is the process by which memories of encoded information are strengthened, stabilised and stored to facilitate later retrieval.

记忆巩固是形成情景记忆的下一步，是对编码信息的记忆进行强化、稳定和存储的过程，以便于以后的提取。

Consolidation is most effective when the information being stored can be linked to an existing network of information.

当存储的信息可以连接到现有的信息网络时，巩固是最有效的。

Consolidation makes it possible for you to store memories for later retrieval indefinitely.

巩固记忆使你能够储存记忆以备以后不限期的记忆提取。

Forming strong memories depends on the frequency with which you try to retrieve them.

形成强烈的记忆取决于你试图回忆它们的频率。

Memories can fade or become harder to retrieve if they aren't used very often.

如果不经常使用，记忆会消褪或变得更难找回。

The last step in forming episodic memories is called retrieval, which is the conscious recollection of encoded information.

形成情景记忆的最后一个步骤是提取，这是对编码信息的有意识回忆。

Retrieving information from episodic memory depends upon semantic, olfactory, auditory and visual factors.

情景记忆中提取信息取决于语 义、嗅觉、听觉和视觉因素。

These help episodic memory retrieval by acting as a prompt.

这些作为提示，可以帮助情景记忆的回忆。

For example, when recalling where you parked your car you may use the colour of a sign close to where you parked.

例如，当你回忆你把车停在哪里的时候，你可以使用接近你停车位置的的一个标志的颜色。

You actually have to mentally travel back to the moment you parked.

实际上，你必须在脑海中回到你停车的那一刻。

There are a wide range of neurological diseases and conditions that can affect episodic memory.

有很多神经系统疾病和状况会影响情景记忆。

These range from Alzheimer's to schizophrenia to autism.

这些疾病包括老年痴呆症、精神分裂症和自闭症。

An impairment of episodic memory can have a profound effect on individuals' lives.

情景记忆的损伤会对个体的生活产生深远的影响。

For example, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be reasonably well controlled by medication; however, patients' episodic memory may still be impaired and so they are often unable to return to university or work.

例如，精神分裂症的症状可以通过药物合理的控制; 然而，患者的情景记忆仍可能受损，因此他们往往无法重返大学或工作岗位。

Recent studies have shown that computer-assisted games designed to keep the brain active can help improve their episodic memory.

最近的研究表明，电脑辅助游戏设计来保持大脑的活跃可以帮助改善他们的情景记忆。

Episodic memories can help people connect with others, for instance by sharing intimate details about their past: something individuals with autism often have problems with.

情景记忆可以帮助人们与他人建立联系，例如，通过分享他们过去的私密细节：这些是自闭症患者经常难办到的。

This may be caused by an absence of a sense of self.

这可能是由于缺乏自我意识造成的。

This is essential for the storage of episodic memory, and has been found to be impaired in children with autism.

这对于情景记忆的储存是至关重要的，而且已经发现自闭症儿童的自我意识会受到损害。

Research has shown that treatments that improve memory may also have a positive impact on children's social development.

研究表明，提高记忆力的治疗方法也可能对儿童的社会发展产生积极影响。

One study looked at a ...

一项研究着眼于……