Chapter 7: Human Memory (5)

Question 1

Define long-term potentiation.

Answer 1

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a
long-lasting increase in neural excitability at synapses along a specific neural pathway.

(CS)

Question 2

Scientists discovered relatively recently
that new brain cells are formed constantly in the __________.

Answer 2

Scientists discovered relatively recently
that new brain cells are formed constantly in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.

Question 3

What are the two types of amnesia?

Answer 3

Retrograde and Anterograde.

Question 4

Define Retrograde amnesia.

Answer 4

Retrograde amnesia involves the loss of memories for events that occurred prior to the onset of amnesia.

Question 5

Define anterograde amnesia.

Answer 5

Anterograde amnesia involves the loss
of memories for events that occur after the onset of amnesia

Question 6

H.M.’s memory losses were originally attributed to the removal of his __________.

Answer 6

H.M.’s memory losses were originally attributed to the removal of his hippocampus.

Question 7

The entire hippocampal region and adjacent areas in the cortex sometimes
referred to as the _________

Answer 7

Medial temporal lobe memory system.

Question 8

What is consolidation?

Answer 8

Consolidation is a hypothetical process involving the gradual conversion of new, unstable memories into stable, durable memory codes stored in long-term memory.

Question 9

Define reconsolidation.

Answer 9

Studies suggest that when consolidated memories are retrieved, the reactivated memories are temporarily returned to an unstable state, from which they must be restabilized through a process called reconsolidation.

(CS)

Question 10

What is implicit memory?

Answer 10

Implicit memory is apparent when retention is exhibited on a task that does not require intentional remembering.

Question 11

What is explicit memory?

Answer 11

Explicit memory, which involves intentional recollection of previous experiences.

Question 12

According to Kandel 3 characteristics serve to distinguish implicit and explicit memory. What are they?

Answer 12

1. They differ in the type of knowledge stored—mostly perceptual and motor
   skills in implicit memory and facts and events in explicit memory
2. Second, the primary sites in the brain where storage takes place differ—reflex pathways; the cerebellum for implicit memory and the hippocampus and
   temporal lobe for explicit memory.
3. Third, there are differences in the recall strategies used in accessing or using the information; they are conscious and deliberate for explicit memory but unconscious or unintentional for implicit memories.

Question 13

What are the independent systems that handle implicit and explicit memory?

Answer 13

These independent systems are
referred to as declarative and procedural memory.

Question 14

Differentiate between declarative and non-declarative memory.

Answer 14

The declarative memory system handles factual information.

The non-declarative or procedural memory system houses memory for actions, skills, operations, and conditioned responses.

Question 15

What is declarative memory subdivided into? What do they each contain?

Answer 15

It is subdivided declarative memory into episodic and semantic memory.

Both contain factual information, but episodic memory contains personal facts and semantic memory contains general facts.

Question 16

Differentiate between semantic and episodic memory.

Answer 16

Episodic memory is a record of things you’ve done, seen, and heard.

The semantic memory system contains general knowledge that is not tied to the time when the information was learned.

Episodic memory is like an autobiography, whereas semantic memory is like an encyclopedia

Question 17

Differentiate between prospective and retrospective memory.

Answer 17

Prospective memory involves remembering to perform actions in the future.

Retrospective memory involves remembering events from the past or previously learned information.