Final answer:
Relational learning depends on declarative memory and effortful processing, directly impacting our capability to form and retrieve memories. It is characterised by the way we link new information with existing knowledge and personal relevance, which plays a significant role in the strength of memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relational learning entails understanding how to connect new information with existing knowledge, which is characterised by the processing of associations between different pieces of information. This type of learning is crucial for forming memory networks that can be called upon for a variety of cognitive tasks. Relational learning primarily depends on the hippocampus, a region of the brain vital for memory formation and recall.
Specifically, relational learning is facilitated by a type of long-term memory known as declarative memory, which encapsulates facts and events we personally experience. This process is characterised by effortful processing, elaborative rehearsal, and the self-reference effect, signifying that we encode and retrieve information more effectively when we actively engage with it and relate it to ourselves.
Encoding, the input of information into the memory system, is a critical part of memory formation. The strength and longevity of a memory can depend on the depth of encoding, often enhanced by elaborative rehearsal and semantic processing.