Memory, Space, and the Hippocampus

Although the hippocampus is one of the most studied brain structures of the last century, there is still considerable disagreement about its core function. In one view, the hippocampus is essential for forming memories of the unique episodes in our lives. In another, the hippocampus is devoted to spatial navigation, encoding a spatial map of the world and our location in it. Reconciling these viewpoints has posed a significant scientific challenge. This seminar examines differing perspectives on how the hippocampus contributes to cognition and behavior, with the goal of integrating evidence from multiple subfields of psychology and neuroscience.