Why do some people remember details from many years ago, while they have trouble remembering recent events?
Only a fraction of things you experienced long ago can be recalled. Thus, you can recall the details of certain things from many years ago only if they have been firmly entrenched in long-term memory. In contrast, you might not have committed a particular recent event to long-term memory, so you find it more difficult to recall. This would account for why you might recall the name of a classmate from third grade more than the name of a person you met yesterday. Hearing your fellow third-grader’s name mentioned over and over might account for its being stored in your long-term memory. You might have to hear the name of the person you met yesterday a few more times before it becomes firmly stored in your long-term memory.
