Episodic Future Thought Paper - Essay Example

Episodic Future Thought Paper Episodic Future Thought Paper Provide an extremely brief paragraph) explanation of the main point on the article by Szpunar (2010) Perspectives in Psychological Science. Episodic future thought: an emerging concept. Specifically, how would you describe these concepts to a lay person (perhaps a grandparent)? According to Szpunar, both semantic and episodic memories have an important role to play in the building of episodic future thoughts. This is because their interactions in the process can be established by relative accessibility of the information in one’s memory.

She elucidates the current knowledge and points out several unresolved subjects which pertain to this particular mental ability. She majorly concentrates on the latest research findings from neuropsychology, neuroimaging and clinical psychology which have proved a very close connection between the ability to bring into remembrance firsthand occurrences in one’s past and episodic future thought. In layman’s language, the central point is that when one is anticipating the future to come about in a particular manner, this anticipation is shaped majorly by one’s recollection of past events in his life.2. How does episodic future thought relate to the content in chapter 6 (Nondeclaritive Memory) & 7 (Episodic Memory) in the textbook - Human Memory (second edition) by Gabriel Radvansky?

Specifically discuss how earlier research led to this emerging concept and how implicit and explicit memory may be interrelated with future thought. Radvansky describes non-declarative memory as a type of memory that does not need to be thought but allows one to perform actions by rote. This memory flows smoothly in action and hence it is not easy to verbalise. It comprises; procedural memory that enables one to go about commonly learned tasks without giving thought to them. Research on implicit memory has shown that it uses a different part of the brain from the one used by episodic memory.

Non-declarative memory can also come about from priming. In the light of this, episodic future memory also can occur with an individual visualising himself performing the routine tasks in his daily experiences hence it directly affects future thought. Further on, Radvansky describes episodic memory as one that allows an individual to have a recollection of previous events. It gives specialized representations of the events which we have gone through say for instance, you lose your credit card and you’re attempting desperately to make a right guess as to the exact location where you dropped it.3. What are the clinical (applied) implications for understanding the theoretical concept of episodic future thought?

How might knowledge of the basic mechanisms of episodic future thought lead to novel applications? Be sure to go beyond Szpunars clinical discussion in the paper. Any novel applied directions outside of traditional clinical applications would be welcome. When experiencing future events, some people experience profound emotional reactions, which then affect how they make decisions, behave and how they take control of themselves. Therefore, the emotional part of mental simulation is an important aspect of prosecution that affects significantly on motivation, cognition and behavior.

In addition, recent research indicates that there are significant individual differences when it comes to thinking of future events and, as a result, may contribute to several symptoms and psychopathological states. The precise factors which affect functional significance and emotional prospects are not close to being understood. 4. Aside from answering questions 1-3, feel free to go beyond these questions. If something comes to mind while you read this, you are welcome to discuss that as well.

For example, you may think about the philosophical, ethical or any other underpinnings of this area of research so feel free to write about anything that you find interesting or thought provoking. A great deal of our perceptions and anticipation of what the future holds for us is determined by past events in our lives. This theory is reasonable yet it alone does not suffice to account for the manner in which the estimations about the future are made. Other factors that as well contribute to the existence of episodic future thought exist, and they include are topography of the land, climate, vegetation -these are environmental- amongst others.

These may not have a direct impact on a person, but they form the background setting in the thought. For example, when one lives in a arid area you will most likely think of yourself in a similar place in the future if you have no plans to move away. You will not think of yourself in the heart of a thick rainforest as you have never been there. Also from what one views in the TVs one is likely to be infused with ideas that may influence the kind of thoughts he has concerning the future.ReferenceSzpunar K.K. 2010.

Episodic future thought: An emerging concept. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5, 142-162.