Final answer:
Ryan's automatic rollerblading skills are an example of implicit procedural memory, which entails performing learned actions without conscious thought. This type of memory is usually acquired through repetition and becomes instinctive, facilitated by the nervous system's control over muscle movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ryan's ability to rollerblade to school and perform tasks like balancing and stopping without consciously thinking about them is an example of implicit procedural memory. This type of memory involves recalling how to perform actions and skills we have learned so well that they become automatic. Just like one can ride a bicycle, knit, or plant a tree without active thought, Ryan's skills with rollerblading are ingrained. He doesn't remember when he first learned because these skills are typically not memorized in a way that can be easily articulated; rather, they are performed instinctively.
Implicit procedural memory is distinct from other types of memory because it is not dependent on active recall. This form of memory is involved in the performance of different motor tasks and is usually learned through practice and repetition. Over time, as with fixing a flat tire or dribbling a basketball, the actions become second nature, and we perform them without deliberate thought or effort.