3: Semantic Memory Flashcards
define: semantic memory
store of knowledge about the world - contains concepts
define: concepts
mental representations and the fundamental units of thought e.g., concept of bird, animal etc.
What is the hierarchical network model?
A model of sematic memory where information is split into nodes like a family tree, with more general information at the top, slowly becoming more specific as you move down
define: cognitive economy
common properties are stored higher up to minimize redundancy (hierarchical network model of semantic memory)
what is evidence for the hierarchical network model?
sentence verification task - participants have to verify is a fact is true or not, the further the properties of the object is to from the object in the network, the longer the reaction time
* A canary can sing
* A canary can fly
* A canary has skin
* A canary is a fish
what are some of the criticisms with the hierarchical network model?
- Familiarity: “A canary has skin” is not a familiar sentence. When controlled this reduces the hierarchical distance effect
- Typicality: Verification is faster for more representative member categories, independent of hierarchical/ semantic distance
What is spreading activation theory?
Theory of semantic memory that suggests memory is organised by semantic relatedness/ distance. Length of links indicates the degree of semantic relatedness. Activity at one node causes activation at other nodes via links, bit this decreases the further you get from the original activity.
What is a semantic priming task?
When presenting one stimulus that is semantically related makes subsequent processing more efficient (e.g., faster)
What are the 2 supporting concepts for the spreading activation model?
Semantic priming tasks, (DRM) Paradigm
What is the DRM Paradigm?
If you present participants with a list of related concepts but without the linking word to remember. Participants are likely to accept the related linking word as part of the list that they studied, even though it wasn’t on their
What are some criticisms of the spreading activation model?
The model’s flexibility reduces the specificity of the model’s predictions & makes testing harder
The notion that each concept is represented by a single node is oversimplified (eg abstract concepts like justice)
Does each concept have a fixed mental representation?
What is the Situated Simulation Theory?
Concepts are processed in different settings. Their processing is influenced by the current context/setting.
What are the 2 supports for the situated stimulation theory?
+ Brain areas activated by action words are adjacent to and partly overlap with activations produced by the corresponding movement
+ Using motor system facilitates access to concepts. People responded faster to move their hands if there was a hand-related words (consistency).
What are the 2 criticisms of situated stimulation theory?
- How variable are concepts across situations?
- Are these properties secondary – after concept meaning has been accessed
What is the Grandmother cell hypothesis?
Semantic memories are represented in the brain as whole objects such that each object/concept has its own node or neuron (eg grandma neuron) - most evidence suggests this is false
What is the hub & spoke model?
Model of semantic memory -
The hub is a modality independent system that stores conceptual representations in the anterior temporal lobe
The spokes are modality specific areas of the brain distributes around the cortical
What are the 3 supports for the hub & spoke model
+ transcranial stimulation in anterior temporal lobe (the hub) increased performance in tool function & manipulation
+ semantic dementia (in anterior temporal lobe) creates general semantic deficits
+ brain damage to specific cortical areas doesn’t damage other semantic areas
what are the 4 criticisms of the hub & spoke model?
The role of anterior temporal lobe may be more complex
Does familiarity with concepts affect their organisation in the hub?
How many ”spokes”?
How is information integrated between the spokes and the hub?
