Case study of H.M

Question 1

What is the backstory of H.M?

Answer 1

At 7 he was knocked down by a bicycle leading to minor epileptic seizures at 10 and then these became major seizures at 16.
- At age 27 the seizures becam so severe the he could no longer work and live a normal life

Question 2

Which neurosurgeon monitored H.M?

Answer 2

William Scoville

Question 3

What procedure did Scoville do on H.M?

Answer 3

Bilateral mesial temporal lobe resection

Question 4

What does a bilateral mesial temporal lobe resection consist of?

Answer 4

Removing around 5cm of the bilateral mesial temporal cortex and 2/3 of the hippocampus

Question 5

What was the result of the bilateral mesial temporal lobe resection?

Answer 5

It controlled his seizures as the number and severity of his seizures reduced but his memory was severely effected

Question 6

What was the aim of studying H.M?

Answer 6

To find out the effects of his brain surgery on his function particularly his memory

Question 7

5 ways H.M was studied (procedure)?

Answer 7

1. Observation
2. Interviews
3. Experimental tasks
4. Standardised IQ tests
5. Standardised memory tests

Question 8

How long did the studies of H.M go on for?

Answer 8

From about 1957 to his death in 2008

Question 9

What are the results of the study?

Answer 9

H.M’s memories up until the age of 16 were intact but he could not remember new information

Question 10

3 ways H.M was affected?

Answer 10

1. He forgot daily events almost straight away
2. He underestimated his own age
3. He could not recognise hospital staff

Question 11

Conclusion of H.M study?

Answer 11

He was unable to encode temporary STM into stable LTM

Question 12

3 ways H.M wasn’t affected?

Answer 12

1. Sensory memory was intact
2. He could acquire new motor skills
3. H could recognise a few famous people who were not famous before his operation but were afterwards

Question 13

What are 3 conclusions from this study?

Answer 13

1. Memory is a distinct cerebral function, separate from other brain function
2. The medial temporal love is important for memory
3. There is a distinction between STM and LTM

Question 14

3 strengths of case studies?

Answer 14

1. Deliberate damage to memory/the brains of humans is not ethical
2. Gathers rich detailed data about memory
3. Can take a long time - see the development over time#

Question 15

3 weaknesses of case studies?

Answer 15

1. Case studies only based on one person/ small group
2. Subjective interpretation
3. Takes a long time