Abstract

ADES, César. Towards a natural history of memory. Psicol. USP [online]. 1993, vol.4, n.1-2, pp.25-47. ISSN 1678-5177.

The study of memory processes in natural contexts is an essential complement to laboratory studies. It allows us to assess the variability of memory-guided performance and to understand how such performance is adjusted to specific environmental demands. In this paper, I examine some aspects of event memory (System II, Sherry & Schacter, 1987) as manifested in (1) spatial orientation, (2) retrieval of hoarded food, (3) recognition of conspecifics and social memory in general. I argue that event memory can be submitted, as other behavioral features, to an analysis in terms of adaptive function.

Keywords : Memory; Animal ethology; Animal learning; Animal communication.

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