Reconsidering Implicit Memory

The study of implicit memory poses challenges to the whole concept of memory, challenges with which the field has struggled ever since. This chapter presents a continuation of reflections on matters related to memory and implicit memory. However, the conclusion it comes to is that the term implicit memory may have outlived its usefulness and that one gains no conceptual advantage from using this term that could not be obtained simply by calling the phenomena of interest long-term priming effects. The chapter begins with a discussion on definitions of memory. It considers why researchers have rarely worried about the breadth and scope of the concept of implicit memory.