What if we're rethinking the whole concept of memory? This theoretical article challenges traditional views of memory by proposing a new perspective: memory and conceptualization work together to serve perception and action. It suggests that conceptualization involves encoding patterns of possible physical interaction with the world, constrained by the environment, our bodies, and memory. This viewpoint departs from associative models of memory, arguing that relationships between concepts arise from how patterns of actions can be combined. Conceptualization is typically driven by the environment, with memory playing a supporting role. Learning to suppress environmental input allows memory to guide conceptualization, enabling prediction, recollection, and language comprehension. By connecting topics such as infantile amnesia and mental-model theory, the article suggests a unified framework for understanding memory's function. This fresh perspective has significant implications for cognitive science and opens new avenues for investigating the interplay between memory, perception, and action. It challenges researchers to consider how memory contributes to our ability to interact effectively with the world, paving the way for future studies on the neural and cognitive processes underlying this interaction.
As a theoretical piece published in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, this article fits the journal's mission to present diverse perspectives on brain and behavioral phenomena. By challenging traditional views of memory and proposing a new framework, the paper stimulates discussion and debate within the cognitive science community. The article's broad scope, connecting various aspects of memory research, aligns with the journal's interdisciplinary approach.