Cognitive theories of memory: L13

Question 1

1. Matlin definition of memory

2. Ashcroft definition

Answer 1

1. maintaining information over time

2. the mental processes of acquiring and retaining information for later retrieval

Question 2

define procedural memory

Answer 2

• storage of skills and procedures
• important in motor performance
• supported by memory systems that are independent of hippocampal formation

Question 3

define declarative memory

Answer 3

• accumulation of facts/data from learning experiences
• processed by various systems, feeding into hippocampal formation
• its relational (new information about e.g. cats combines with previously acquired information)
• activation of declarative memory = activation of related memories
• memory activation can be independent of environment

Question 4

whats the job of the hippocampal formation

Answer 4

create relationships between 2 pieces of information e.g. 2 concepts, an emotion + event experienced

Question 5

serial memory model:
1. Atkinson-shiffrin model :
3 components

Answer 5

• sequential order over time
  1. sensory memory
  2. working memory
  3. long term memory

Question 6

Atkinson-shiffrin model, whats needed for each step?

Answer 6

1. attention needed for sensory
2. attention + rehearsal for working
3. first 2 steps-> for long term

Question 7

memories that exist in long term represent?

Answer 7

individuals perception of events, affected by interpretation and mental state

Question 8

Serial model: levels of processing -

Craik and Lockhart

Answer 8

• information retained according to level of processing it has undergone:
  1. shallow-deep
  2. maintenance (regurgitation) vs elaborative (imbedded in semantic framework) rehearsal

Question 9

Serial model:

Tulving’s model of memory

Answer 9

Long term memory:

1. procedural
2. episodic (declarative = recall events)
3. semantic (declarative = knowledge/facts)

Question 10

Parallel model:

Parallel distributed processing

Answer 10

• memory is activation of connections in different areas
• strength between different nodes represents the memory itself
• learning = strength of connections between relevant sites is changed
• emphasis on the connection between the elements & strength of these connections

Question 11

comparison of models of memory

Answer 11

• not one model accounts for all data that exists

- serial models are most useful for studying amnesia

Question 12

Episodic memory definition

Answer 12

• “time travel”

Question 13

Tulving’s conceptualisation of episodic memory

- episodic memory works by…

Answer 13

-allowing an individual to re-experience previous experiences

Question 14

define autonoetic awareness

Answer 14

reexperiencing oneself in the autobiographical past

Question 15

episodic memory: what do operations depend on?

Answer 15

• semantic and other forms of memory
• shares neural mechanisms & cognitive processes with other systems
• also subserved by specific mechanisms not involved in other systems

Question 16

Define semantic memory

Answer 16

• ‘knowledge memory’
• system that makes acquisition, retention and use of factual information possible
• not purely concerned with language
• no autonoetic awareness of the personal past

Question 17

how independent are episodic and semantic memory systems?

Answer 17

• parallel with declarative memory (Squire & Zola)

- not parallel (Tulving)

Question 18

Squire & Zola:
declarative memory 
- dependent on
-damage =
-> evidence

Answer 18

• dependent on the hippocampal system
• damage results in equal impairment to episodic and semantic memories
• > Amnesic patients have equal difficulties with ‘event’ and ‘fact’ memory

Question 19

Tulving:

declarative memory - serial parallel independent (SPI) hypothesis

Answer 19

• encoding into episodic memory relies on semantic system (& the other way too)
• episodic memory is a ‘unique’ extension of semantic memory
• retrieval is independent, can be supported by either system or both

Question 20

Tulving SPI model flow chart

Answer 20

In -> PRS -> semantic -> episodic

PRS -> identify objects -> out

semantic -> know the present -> out

episodic -> remember the past -> out

Question 21

Dissociations:

1. no dissociation

Answer 21

1. damage X = affects A & B equally. Damage Y =affects A & B equally

Question 22

2. single dissociation

- > example

Answer 22

2. damage X = affects A, not B. Damage Y = affects A & B equally

Question 23

3. double dissociation

Answer 23

3. damage X = affects A, not B. Damage Y = affects B not A

Question 24

Vargha-Khadem study

- what did it examine

Answer 24

• seminal study, group of children

- 3 patients suffered early bilateral medial temporal lobe injury

Question 25

Vargha-Khadem study

-Neuropathology (2)

Answer 25

1. assessed with MRI and spectroscopy
2. all 3 cases had:
   - abnormally small bilateral hippocampi
   - intact extra-hippocampal temporal lobes

Question 26

Vargha-Khadem study

- memory

Answer 26

• 3 cases: impaired memory function relative to intellectual capacity
• memory assessed with standard clinical measures of memory (tests of episodic memory)

Question 27

Vargha-Khadem study

-memory deficits included

Answer 27

• spatial memory
• temporal memory
• episodic memory

Question 28

Vargha-Khadem study

- what remained “normal”

Answer 28

• academic achievements

- factual knowledge = normal range -> extensive semantic information

Question 29

Vargha-Khadem study

- conclusions

Answer 29

• intact semantic memory
  -impaired episodic memory
  = episodic memory relies on hippocampal circuit

Question 30

Vargha-Khadem’s study & Tulving’s model…

Answer 30

• fit together
• i.e. episodic memory function relies on semantic memory
• semantic memory function does NOT rely on intact episodic memory

Question 31

Episodic - semantic dissociation + Vargha-Khadem’s study & Tulving’s model…

Answer 31

evidence exists suggesting these results to not necessarily be true -> double dissociation also exists in the literature
= interaction between these two systems isn’t clearly understood

Question 32

Episodic memory relies on what?

Answer 32

the hippocampal circuit