Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What phenomenon describes the inability to remember events from the first few years of life?

1. Childhood amnesia

2. Reminiscence bump

3. Episodic deterioration

4. Infantile amnesia

The correct answer is: Childhood amnesia

The phenomenon that describes the inability to remember events from the first few years of life is known as childhood amnesia. This term refers specifically to the difficulty that adults have in recalling memories from their early childhood, typically before the age of three to four years. Childhood amnesia is thought to occur due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing development of the brain in these early years and the ways in which memory systems evolve. Young children are still developing critical aspects of memory, such as language and self-concept, both of which are important for encoding and retrieving memories in a coherent narrative. In contrast, the reminiscence bump refers to the phenomenon where people tend to recall more memories from their adolescence and early adulthood, around ages 10 to 30. This is not about forgetting early childhood but rather emphasizes the richness of memories formed during that specific life phase. Episodic deterioration and infantile amnesia are terms that could be mistakenly associated with this question. While "infantile amnesia" is another term often used interchangeably with childhood amnesia, it is important to note that many experts prefer "childhood amnesia" to emphasize the broader span of early childhood experiences being forgotten, making it the more appropriate choice in