Levine et al. (2002)

Aging and autobiographical memory: Dissociating episodic from semantic retrieval.

Psychology and Aging, 17(4), 677-689

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DOI

Abstract

Cognitive aging research documents reduced access to contextually specific episodic details in older adults, whereas access to semantic or other nonepisodic information is preserved or facilitated. The present study extended this finding to autobiographical memory by using a new measure: the Autobiographical Interview. Younger and older adults recalled events from 5 life periods. Protocols were scored according to a reliable system for categorizing episodic and nonepisodic information. Whereas younger adults were biased toward episodic details reflecting happenings, locations, perceptions, and thoughts, older adults favored semantic details not connected to a particular time and place. This pattern persisted after additional structured probing for contextual details. The Autobiographical Interview is a useful instrument for quantifying episodic and semantic contributions to personal remote memory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)

Reference

Levine, B., Svoboda, E., Hay, J. F., Winocur, G., & Moscovitch, M. (2002). Aging and autobiographical memory: Dissociating episodic from semantic retrieval. Psychology and Aging, 17(4), 677-689. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.17.4.677

What Rests on This

2 mechanisms cite this source. Each finding below is quoted as it appears on that mechanism's own page.

Episodic Memory Memory Systems

Definition

In personal memories, episodic details (happenings, places, perceptions, and thoughts tied to one time and place) can be scored apart from semantic details not tied to any occasion; younger adults favoured episodic details and older adults semantic ones, even after structured probing

Autobiographical Memory Representational Structures

Measured in humans

The Autobiographical Interview, built for this ability, has people recall events from five life periods and scores internal (episodic) versus external (largely semantic) details; younger adults favored episodic details while older adults favored semantic details, even after structured probing