Episodic memory is a type of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences that have occurred in a person's life. It is a form of autobiographical memory that allows individuals to remember personal experiences, such as first dates, family vacations, or significant life events. Episodic memory is different from other types of memory, such as semantic memory (knowledge about the world) or procedural memory (skills and habits), as it focuses on the recollection of specific details and contexts associated with past events. Researchers studying episodic memory aim to understand the cognitive processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving episodic memories, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying this type of memory function.