5a Flashcards
Types of log term memory
Implicit : procedural memory and classical conditioned memory
explicit : semantic episodic
Explicit memory,
Semantic
Episodic
(Declarative memory ((can be stated to someone)) type of long term memory consciously retrieved. Can be retrieved from long term memory and brought into conscious awareness.
Explicit memory that consists of general knowledge or facts (declarative as they. An be verbally explained)
Knowing that:
There are 7 continents
Dogs bark
3x3 equals 9
Explicit memory that consists of personal experiences or events
(Unique to each individual and their own personal experience
Memory of:
Getting drivers licence
Details from a holiday
What u ate for dinner
Implicit
Implicit memory Implicit memory is a type of long-term memory that is unconsciously retrieved. These memories are involuntarily retrieved, such as recalling the technique of how to kick a soccer ball during a match or recalling how scared you were after seeing an aggressive dog. When you retrieve these memories, the memory of how to perform a soccer technique
is demonstrated by the ability to execute the technique, not by the ability to explain the technique. Additionally, the fear of the dog is retrieved without conscious effort in the presence of dogs. Furthermore, the emotional component of declarative memories is also a type of implicit memory as the emotion is retrieved unconsciously
Procedural
Procedural memory is a type of implicit memory that involves knowing how to carry out tasks that are facilitated by motor skills.
Knowing how to:
• tie your shoelaces
• kick a ball
• play the guitar.
Classical comditioned
Classically conditioned memory is a type of implicit memory that involves an involuntary response, such as fear, to a stimulus which has repeatedly been associated with an emotionally-arousing stimulus. This response is usually emotionally charged, commonly involving strong feelings, such as fear, disgust, or elation.
• Classically conditioned memories are retrieved involuntarily (without conscious effort) and can be reflexive.
• Classically conditioned memories may involve the formation of an involuntary fear response to a particular stimulus after it has been repeatedly associated with another fear- inducing stimulus.
• Classically conditioned memories may also involve
the formation of an involuntary habit, such as biting your
nails when you confront a nerve-racking situation or automatically pressing down on the brake when you reach
a stop sign.
Imagine that an individual was swimming in the ocean as a
child when they got caught in rough surf and were repeatedly dumped by waves. This may form
a fearful memory due to classical conditioning. The association between the ocean and this frightening experience, in which the individual was extremely scared, may cause them to have an involuntary fear response whenever they see the ocean. This individual is likely to respond reflexively (due to the memory being implicit and involuntary) and be unaware that they are activating this conditioned fear response
Brain structures involved in memory
These brain structures include the hippocampus, amygdala, neocortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. These brain structures interact to encode and store long-term memories.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus (in relation to memory) is a brain structure that is primarily involved in encoding explicit memories. The hippocampus is located in the middle of the brain. People who have damage to the hippocampus may experience difficulty forming new explicit memories due to the hippocampus’ role in encoding these memories.
Amygdala
The amygdala (in relation to memory) is a brain structure that is primarily involved in encoding the emotional component of memories. The amygdala is also located in the middle of the brain and is often described as the ‘fear centre’ of the brain. This brain structure is responsible for encoding the emotional components of classically conditioned and explicit memories. It is involved in strengthening the encoding of emotional components of memories, contributing to them being encoded in greater detail.
Once the amygdala detects an experience that is emotionally arousing, it signals to the hippocampus that it is meaningful, which enhances the strength of that memory during encoding. For this reason, the amygdala can be thought of as helping label the emotional components of memory, such as fear. Therefore, it helps encode classically conditioned memories that involve distinct emotional responses, such as fear, disgust, anger, or excitement.
Neocortex
The neocortex (in relation to memory) is a brain structure that stores explicit memories.
The neocortex consists of six layers and is part of the cerebral cortex. Once episodic and semantic memories are converted into a usable form in the hippocampus, they are stored within the neocortex to be retrieved for later use. The neocortex covers most of the brain’s surface and consists of four lobes, with memories being stored in particular locations depending on the type of memory and where it was processed. For example, the memory of a song’s melody may be partially stored in the auditory cortex, which is the part of the neocortex involved in storing some aspects of auditory information. However, other aspects of the melody may be stored in other brain regions because the brain regions are not isolated and interact to store memories. Nevertheless, research suggests that the frontal and temporal lobes are the main lobes involved in the storage of semantic and episodic memories (Graham et al., 1997).
Due to long-term memories being stored in various locations within the neocortex, neural connections are able to be formed between different memories. These links between memories attach meaning to them and enhance your understanding of how different concepts and memories are interrelated.
Basal ganglia
The basal ganglia (in relation to memory) is a brain structure that is involved in encoding and storing procedural memories and classically conditioned memories that are associated with unconscious habits, behaviours, or procedures. The basal ganglia is located in the middle of the brain and encodes and stores procedural memories via its connection with the cerebellum. Therefore, while the amygdala is involved in encoding the emotional component of classically conditioned memories, the basal ganglia is involved in encoding and storing responses that are learnt through classical conditioning.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum (in relation to memory) is a brain structure that encodes and stores implicit procedural memories. It is located at the base of the brain. The cerebellum is the storage site for implicit procedural memories, due to the cerebellum being involved in the processes of motor control, coordination, and balance.
