Final answer:
Long-term memory consists of explicit (or declarative) memory, which includes episodic and semantic memories, and implicit memory, which includes knowledge like riding a bike. Encoding requires effortful processing, and techniques like elaborative rehearsal aid in better retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Long-Term Memory
When discussing long-term memory, it's important to understand that there are two main types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, or declarative memory, includes episodic memory and semantic memory. Episodic memory is a type of declarative memory that contains information about events we have personally experienced, which is also known as autobiographical memory. Semantic memory involves facts and general knowledge. In contrast, implicit memory is not consciously retrieved and includes procedural knowledge, such as knowing how to ride a bike.
Encoding information into memory usually requires effortful processing, which means actively working to understand and remember information. Techniques such as elaborative rehearsal, where one thinks about the meaning of new information and connects it to what is already known, can greatly enhance retention in long-term memory. Additionally, the concept of engram pertains to the physical trace of memory in the brain, and the equipotentiality hypothesis suggests that other parts of the brain can compensate for damaged areas involved in memory formation and storage.