Cognitive: Episodic + Semantic

Question 1

Who created the Episodic and semantic theory?

Answer 1

Tulving (1972)

Question 2

Define LTM (include encoding and capacity)

Answer 2

The permanent memory store. Coding is semantic and capacity is unlimited.

Question 3

Define episodic memory

Answer 3

A long term memory system for personal events including when the event occurred and the people, objects and behaviours. Memories of this store have to be recalled consciously.

Question 4

Define semantic memory.

Answer 4

A long term memory store for our knowlege of the world. This includes; facts, concepts and definitions.

Question 5

What are the 2 features of episodic memory?

Answer 5

Time referencing and spatial referencing.

Question 6

Define time referencing

Answer 6

An epsiodic memory of an event that is time stamped so we remember when the event happened and store all our info on a timeline.

Question 7

Define spatial referencing

Answer 7

This allows us to ‘relive’ an event in our minds by recreating the memory of the people, objects and experience of the moment.

Question 8

What are the key features of the semantic memory.

Answer 8

Semantic memory is necessary for us to use language and allows to us to mentally represent things that arent there. They arent time stamped and arent personal.

Question 9

Are semantic memories susceptable to distortion? Explain.

Answer 9

Less vulnerable compared to episodic. Tulving states that semantic memories arent as susceptible to distortion and decay.

Question 10

Evaluate E+S S

Answer 10

H.M: His episodic memory was damaged but his semantic memory was still intact as he still understood what a dog was but couldnt remember having owned one in the past. = there are different memory stores in LTM.

Question 11

Evaluate E+S O

Answer 11

Clinical studies like H.M lack control of variables. These studies involve people who have experienced unexpected brain damage so the researcher has no knowlege of their memory beforehand.

Question 12

Evaluate E+S D

Answer 12

Reconstructive memory Bartlett (1932)
Schemas will differ from person to person and culture to culture making them seperate semantic stores. If tulvings ideas are true then reconstructive is more plausible as it gives more detail about how both epsiodic and semantic memory are distorted by schemas.

Question 13

Evaluate E+S A

Answer 13

Cognitive stimulation therapy: The distinction between episodic and semantic memory helps us to understand patients with dementia. By showing them personal material and getting them to recall the meaning will calm and focus them.