Final answer:
Explicit memories are long-term memories that we are aware of and can consciously recall, such as facts and personal experiences. They are encoded into our brain through effort and attention and can be enhanced by strategies to facilitate their transition from short-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explicit memories are a type of long-term memory that involves memories we consciously attempt to remember, recall, and report. These include both episodic memory, which relates to our personal experiences, and semantic memory, which includes knowledge of facts and concepts. Encoding is the process through which we get information into our memory system, and it can happen both automatically and with effort.
Memory is also affected by retrieval, storage, and the impact of aging, brain trauma, or disorders which can influence the strength of these memories. Explicit memory contrasts with implicit memory, which refers to long-term memories not in our conscious awareness, such as skills and conditioned responses. Memory-enhancing strategies can support the transition from short-term to long-term memory, crucial for studying and retaining information.