What type of memory includes the recollection of personal experiences and specific events?

Episodic memory is the type of memory that involves the recollection of personal experiences and specific events. It's a form of declarative memory, which means it requires conscious thought and can be consciously recalled. For example, when you remember your last birthday party or a family vacation, you are accessing episodic memory. This memory system allows individuals to recall details about the time and place of events, as well as associated emotions.

In contrast, semantic memory pertains to facts and general knowledge that are not tied to personal experiences, such as knowing that Paris is the capital of France. Procedural memory relates to skills and tasks, like riding a bike or typing, which involve learning how to do things and are often performed automatically without conscious thought. Short-term memory is a temporary storage system that holds information for a brief period, typically for several seconds to a minute, and is distinct from episodic memory's more permanent recollection of events. Thus, the characteristics of episodic memory make it the correct answer in this context.