Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which type of memory is associated with knowing how to ride a bicycle?

1. Implicit memory

2. Semantic memory

3. Procedural memory

4. Long-term memory

The correct answer is: Procedural memory

The correct choice reflects the concept of procedural memory, which refers to the type of long-term memory that enables individuals to perform tasks and skills without consciously thinking about them. Riding a bicycle is a classic example of a skill learned through practice and repetition; once mastered, it becomes second nature, allowing individuals to perform the action automatically. Procedural memory is distinct from other types of memory. For instance, implicit memory, while it can include procedural memory, refers more broadly to memories that are not consciously recalled. Semantic memory involves the storage of factual information and knowledge about the world, such as knowing that Paris is the capital of France, but it does not encompass skills like riding a bicycle. Long-term memory is an overarching category that includes various types of memory, including episodic, semantic, and procedural, but does not specifically denote the skills involved in tasks. Thus, procedural memory is the most appropriate term because it captures the essence of what is involved in knowing how to ride a bicycle—it is a learned skill that relies on the ability to perform actions without actively remembering the steps involved.