Memory and consciousness: a selective review of issues and data

Abstract

Methods for dissociating and independently studying conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) memory are discussed. Recent work in the field of amnesia is then briefly reviewed, focusing on the question of how clearly the disorder fractionates according to the implicit-explicit distinction. Finally, evidence supporting dual-process models of recognition memory is reviewed, and data suggesting that amnesic patients have relatively spared familiarity-based recognition memory are critically assessed.