The process of forgetting events that happened prior to a certain incident is known as what?

The process of forgetting events that occurred before a specific incident is identified as retrograde amnesia. This type of amnesia typically arises due to trauma or injury, particularly those affecting the brain, such as a concussion or stroke. Retrograde amnesia results in the inability to retrieve memories from the past, with the extent of lost memories varying based on the severity of the injury or psychological condition.

This differentiation is crucial because retrograde amnesia specifically pertains to memories that have been formed prior to an event, contrasting with other types of memory loss that might not distinguish between past and present memories. Being able to understand this condition highlights the relationship between physical brain trauma and the storage and retrieval of memories. It is a key concept in cognitive psychology, illustrating how our memory systems can be affected by both physical and psychological factors.