3.2.6 (5C) - role of episodic + semantic memory

Question 1

Role of episodic + semantic memories in retrieving autobiographical events.

Answer 1

Hippocampus - involved in the retrieval of episodic memories.
Frontal + temporal lobe - involved in retrieval of semantic memories.
*** activates both areas of brain + involves components of each.

Question 2

Role of semantic + episodic memories in constructing possibly imagined futures

Answer 2

Episodic - allows use of past experience (construct detailed futures).
Semantic - Envision scenarios that are consistent with what we already know.

Question 3

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 3

A neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive loss of neurons (doesn’t get better).

Question 4

Alzheimer’s - symptoms

Answer 4

Decrease cognitive functions, personality change, changed mood + emotions, confused/disorientated, language + communication difficulty.

Question 5

Alzheimer’s - diagnosis

Answer 5

Post-mortem examinations where lesions can be examined.

Question 6

Lesions - amyloid plaques

Answer 6

Fragments of the protein ‘beta’ amyloid that accumulate into insoluble plaques and inhibit communication between neurons.

Question 7

Lesions - neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 7

Accumulation of the protein ‘tau’ that form tangles within neurons and inhibit the transportation of essential substances.

Question 8

Aphantasia

Answer 8

A phenomenon in which individuals lack the capacity to generate mental imagery.

Question 9

Mental imagery

Answer 9

Refers to visual representation + experiences of sensory info without the presence of sensory stimuli.