Storing events to retell them (Commentary on Suddendorf and Corballis: 'The evolution of foresight')

Abstract

Episodic memory is certainly a unique endowment, but its primary purpose is something other than to provide raw material for creative synthesis of future scenarios. Remembered episodes are exactly those which are worth telling. The function of episodic memory, in our view, is to accumulate stories that are relevant to recount in conversation.