Final answer:
The cerebellum is critical for implicit procedural memory formation, which is involved in performing skills without conscious thought. The amygdala and hippocampus also play roles in implicit memory, with the amygdala focusing on emotional conditioning and the hippocampus aiding in memory consolidation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cerebellum is the brain structure involved in implicit procedural memories which are essential for performing various skills. When we engage in activities such as riding a bicycle or driving a car, we initially focus attention on balancing or the mechanics involved; over time, these actions become implicit memories and we execute them without conscious effort. Similarly, the amygdala is involved in emotional conditioning and plays a pivotal role in how memories are stored, particularly when influenced by stress hormones. The hippocampus, while predominantly associated with explicit memories, also contributes to transferring new learning into long-term implicit memory, particularly affecting recognition and spatial memory.
Implicit memories influence our behavior and cognitive functions, even though we are not consciously aware of these influences. For instance, implicit emotional conditioning can elicit emotional responses to specific stimuli such as smells or music, without us being able to consciously recall the learning process for these responses. Therefore, if asked to describe how we perform certain skilled actions or why specific stimuli trigger particular emotional responses, we would struggle to verbalize the process, as the instructions have shifted from our explicit to implicit memory over time.