declarative vs. procedural memory

Declarative memory involves facts and events that you can consciously recall, such as remembering a friend's name or details of a past vacation. Procedural memory, on the other hand, relates to skills and habits performed automatically without conscious effort, like riding a bike or typing on a keyboard. While declarative memory requires active recall and awareness, procedural memory operates through learned routines stored in the brain's motor systems. Both types of memory are essential for daily functioning and often work together, but they rely on different neural pathways.