Developmental psychology in memory

Question 1

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 1

• Progressive, degenerative neurological disorder associated with age
• Memory loss, confusion, concentration loss, changes in mood

Question 2

How does Alzheimer’s affect cognitive process

Answer 2

• Deteriorates memory for new events, however old memories are preserved
• WMM: Central executive and visuospatial processing become impaired
• Memory loss associated with depletion of brain matter such as hippocampus and temporal cortex
• Loss of executive function: Lack of general coordination and difficulty with attention

Question 3

Evidence of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 3

• Baddeley conducted a series of tasks on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and control
• Involved looking for the letter ‘Z’ among easy and difficult distractors letters
• A dual procedure was also used
• Persons with Alzheimer’s performed worse in the difficult distractor tasks and were also very impaired on dual tasks procedures
• Demonstrating Alzheimer’s affects dual attentional memory tasks