<p>What you describe here is two types of memory the <strong>declarative memory</strong> and the <strong>implicit memory</strong>.</p>

<p>Declarative memory is consciously retrieved and stored. It is this kind of memory that is used to store historical facts. See below extract from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declarative_memory" rel="nofollow">wiki</a> :</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Declarative memory (sometimes referred to as explicit memory) is one
  of two types of long-term human memory. Declarative memory refers to
  memories that can be consciously recalled such as facts and knowledge</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Implicit memory is created with practice, by doing things. This is the type of knowledge that is mostly used in language learning (We also learn some declarative knowledge at the beginning e.g. grammar rules. But after we apply these rules many times, implicit memory is created and usually the declarative rules fade away). See below extract from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implicit_memory" rel="nofollow">wiki</a> :</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Implicit memory is a type of memory in which previous experiences aid
  the performance of a task without conscious awareness of these
  previous experiences. ... In daily life, people rely on implicit
  memory every day in the form of procedural memory, the type of memory
  that allows people to remember how to tie their shoes or ride a
  bicycle without consciously thinking about these activities.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-30T12:56:32.247Z
2014-11-30T12:56:32.247Z
DesignerAnalyst
<p>As a non-native English speaker I recently tried to understand difference in phrases "to study" and "to learn". I found some explanations here on <em>English language and usage SE</em>, stating that learning is a subconscious activity. Then in some articles I've found, authors stated that language learning is subconscious and that acquiring knowledge and skill isn't the same  [ also that learning language is actually learning a skill, while learning history is acquiring knowledge.] .</p>

<p>So I got confused : <strong>is all learning subconscious or not?</strong> </p>

<p><strong>Is there a difference in learning language and learning anatomy, laws of physics or programming?</strong> </p>

<p>Additionally some articles got me confused, especially  those that want to sell you hypnosis  DVDs and instruction manuals to "boost" your subconscious mind. Aren't we already equipped with proper subconscious mind? </p>

<learning><consciousness>
Is all learning a subconscious activity?
DetectiveShmee
# Is all learning a subconscious activity?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-11-29)

As a non-native English speaker I recently tried to understand difference in phrases "to study" and "to learn". I found some explanations here on *English language and usage SE*, stating that learning is a subconscious activity. Then in some articles I've found, authors stated that language learning is subconscious and that acquiring knowledge and skill isn't the same [ also that learning language is actually learning a skill, while learning history is acquiring knowledge.] .

So I got confused : **is all learning subconscious or not?**

**Is there a difference in learning language and learning anatomy, laws of physics or programming?**

Additionally some articles got me confused, especially those that want to sell you hypnosis DVDs and instruction manuals to "boost" your subconscious mind. Aren't we already equipped with proper subconscious mind?

**Tags:** learning, consciousness


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-11-30. Score: 1

What you describe here is two types of memory the **declarative memory** and the **implicit memory**.

Declarative memory is consciously retrieved and stored. It is this kind of memory that is used to store historical facts. See below extract from [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declarative_memory) :

> Declarative memory (sometimes referred to as explicit memory) is one
> of two types of long-term human memory. Declarative memory refers to
> memories that can be consciously recalled such as facts and knowledge

Implicit memory is created with practice, by doing things. This is the type of knowledge that is mostly used in language learning (We also learn some declarative knowledge at the beginning e.g. grammar rules. But after we apply these rules many times, implicit memory is created and usually the declarative rules fade away). See below extract from [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implicit_memory) :

> Implicit memory is a type of memory in which previous experiences aid
> the performance of a task without conscious awareness of these
> previous experiences. ... In daily life, people rely on implicit
> memory every day in the form of procedural memory, the type of memory
> that allows people to remember how to tie their shoes or ride a
> bicycle without consciously thinking about these activities.


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