20 Memory II Flashcards
Name a GENE that is associated with memory
BDNF
Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor
What are the 2 BDNF alleles?
Which gives WORSE memory?
What type of memory is worsened?
Val = normal Met = worse EPISODIC memory (“remembering” - diary)
3 mnemonic techniques to help memory
- Method of Loci
- Rhymes
- Pegwords
WHY is the Method of Loci particularly efficient for humans?
Utilises our already well-developed + STRUCTURED idea of SPACE
What are PEGWORDS?
Attach an IMAGE to each item on a list
Explicit and Implicit memories are AKA?
Explicit = “Declarative” memory Implicit = “NON-declarative” memory
Difference between EXPLICIT vs IMPLICIT memories?
Explicit
= accessible to consciousness
= can have RETRIEVAL problems
Implicit
= NOT accessible to consciousness
Give 4 examples of IMPLICIT memory at work
- Classical conditioning = linking US + CS
- Habits = done regularly WITHOUT conscious thought
- Semantic priming = respond FASTER if exposed to related word
- Skills = high level of AUTOMATICITY
2 types of memory PROCESSING
Controlled vs Automatic
Compare CONTROLLED vs AUTOMATIC processing
Controlled
=required ATTENTION
=SERIAL processing (one at a time)
=EASILY disrupted
Automatic
=NO ATTENTION required
=PARALLEL processing
=NOT as easily disrupted
How can controlled processing BECOME automatic processing?
Becomes automatic with continued PRACTICE
Compare SEMANTIC vs EPISODIC memory
Semantic (“KNOWING”)
=like dictionary/Google
=LARGE storage, ROBUST
=long-lasting
Episodic (“REMEMBERING”)
=like a DIARY, based on PERSONAL experiences
=FRAGILE storage
What is a LIMITATION of episodic memory
Memories can be CONSTRUCTED + INACCURATE
Episodic memory is part of an “______” memory
Autobiographical
Episodic memory contributes to our …
SELF-understanding
At what AGE does episodic memory form?
Not formed until 3-4 years
Why is episodic memory often UNRELIABLE
- SELECTIVE memory
* can be partially CONSTRUCTED
Unreliable episodic memory creates what real-world problem?
Eyewitness Testimony
What BRAIN AREA is responsible for episodic memory?
Hippocampus
LOCATION of the hippocampus
Medial TEMPORAL love (lock of hair behind ears)
2 patients with HIPPOCAMPAL DMG
Clive Wearing Henry Molaison (HM)
Describe Clive Wearing’s case
*HERPES destroyed hippocampus
*Normal semantic (knowing) + Implicit memory
*Can’t imagine future
*Lives in NARROW WINDOW of time
=SHORT memory span
Describe HM’s case
*Hippocampus removed due to EPILEPSY
*Most memory + skill learning normal
*NO autobiographical (episodic) memory
= FOREVER in the PRESENT
2 types of Amnesia
Define both
Retrograde - can’t remember PAST
Anterograde - can’t FORM memories of PRESENT
Hippocampus does WHAT to memories?
Consolidation = “laying down” memory
REPLAYING past memories adds to consolidation, but has what LIMITATION
May DISTORT memory with lots of replaying
What does EMOTION generally do to memory?
ENHANCE memory (more VIVID)
