Essay plan

Question 1

Processing stages

Answer 1

1. Encoding- acquisition (into sensory buffer) & consolidation (stronger reps overtime).
2. Storage.
3. Retrieval.

Question 2

Sensory memory-
(types)
(Sams & Hari)

Answer 2

millsecs, high capacity, not consciously aware

Iconic (visual)- lasts 0.5-1 sec
Echoic (audiotory)- lasts 10-12 secs

E- Sams, Hari et al 1993- varied inter-stimulus intervals. MMF still elicited by deviant after 9-10 secs.

Question 3

Main models of SM/WM

msm

Answer 3

Modal Model (msm)- Atkinson & Shiffrin 1968
-Originally stored in SM if selected attentional process moved to ST storage, rehearsal move LTM. Lose by decay or interference or both.

Question 4

Main models of SM/WM
(wmm)
(E- dual tasks).

Answer 4

Working Memory Model- Baddely & Hitch 1974
Central Executive- control interaction b/w subordinate ST stores & LTM

Phonological Loop- acoustically encode info in WM.
lesion- Left Supramarginal Gyrus (40)- decreased audio-verbal memory span.
lesion- Left Premotor Region (44)- deficits rehearsal process of PL.

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad- storage visual or visuospatial codes.
lesions- Parieto-Occipital Cortex (right hem worse).

E- info encoded acoustically- intro secondary visuo-spatial task during retention- no disrupt performance.

Question 5

Double dissociation b/w ST & LTM

patients

Answer 5

KF- dmg Left Perisylvian Cortex- STM deficits
EE- dmg Left Angular Gyrus- STM deficits
HM- dmg Medial Temporal Lobe- LTM deficits, STM little issues.

E- KF/EE have double b, but could argued not complete loss of STM so not double d.

Question 6

Diff forms of LTM

non-dec, dec

Answer 6

lasts days-years, unlimited capacity.

Non-Declarative- not consciously aware.

• Procedural Memory- motor/cog skills
• Perceptual Rep System/Priming- id stim- previous knowledge
• Classical Con- CS + UCS –> CR
• Non-Associative Learning- habituation & sensitization

Declarative- consciously aware.

• Episodic Memory- related past, personal.
• Semantic Memory- factual knowledge of world.

Question 7

Structures contribute to LTM

patients & syndrome/diseases

Answer 7

Patient HM- part Temporal Lobe removed including Hippocampus– anterograde/retrograde amnesia, some semantic memories.

Patient KC- dmg Medial Temporal Lobe- No Episodic Memory of his life, but Semantic Knowledge (factual) related to his life.

Patient RB- lesions Hippocampus- dense anter/retro amnesia (1-2 years).

Korsakoff’s Syndrome- dmg Mammillary Bodies & Dorsomedial Nucleus of Thalamus– lose Declarative memory (non-dec fine) - due alcoholism.

Alzheimer’s- MTL deteriorates especially hippocami- needed for rapid consolidation & initial sotrage of info for Episodic & Semantic memories.

Amygdala- not crucial for episodic memory but is for emotional memory.

Question 8

diff forms of LTM-
Procedural Learning
(serial rt task)

Answer 8

-independent of any explicit knowledge. (not conscious)

E- Serial-Reaction-Time Task.
-overtime ptcpts faster RTs to pseudorandom seqs v random- with no knowledge of patterns.

Question 9

Hippocampus - recollection?

E- colour word, list

Answer 9

E- ptcpts colour word say inanimate or animate & small or large- then delay, was word shown in previous lsit.
-if it was activated areas in Hippo- is involved in retrieval of episodic memory.

Question 10

Episodic Memory-

Familiarity-

Answer 10

Episodic- related to events in our past, personal.
Familiarity- “gut feeling” memory- can be quantified with confidence judgements.

Familiarity- around & encoded in Entorhinal Cortex
–What- Perirhinal Cortex. –Where- Parahippocampal Cortex.

Info converges in Hippocampus - does Where-What-When Linking & where Episodic Memory encoded.

Question 11

Where memories stored
(visual/audio)
(E- ass ag)

Answer 11

Retrieval Auditory- activation higher order -
– Auditory Cortical Area.
Retrieval Visual- activation higher order Visual Areas –> reactivation of Modality-Specific Cortex.

E- Associative Agnosia patients- suggest semantic knowledge related activity in Posterior Parietal Cortex.

Question 12

Frontal Cortex - role encoding/retrieval

Answer 12

Left FC- encoding Episodic Memory.
Right FC- activated in Episodic Retrieval.

-more commonly thought FC activity during LTM more related to nature of material….
Left FC- verbal material.
Right FC- spatial material.

Question 13

Long Term Potentiation

E- Hebbian learning

Answer 13

-strengthening of synapses
E- Hebbian Learning- weak & strong input work on cell at same time, weak becomes stronger. Enable learning & memory.

Question 14

Associative LTP

Non-Associative LTP

-not required so minor detail is ok

Answer 14

Associative- learning of all neurons that simultaneously active.

Non-Associative- only where stimulus happens. Strengthening occurs.
–change in Presynaptic Site– generally non-associative LTP.

Question 15

NMDA receptors

-not required so minor detail is ok

Answer 15

-central to producing LTP, not maintaining it.
NMDA blcoked by MG2+, neurotransmitter Glutamate- binds to membrane- depolarised- MG2+ ejected from NMDA.
CA2+ enters cell- trigger enzymatic reaction, increase AMPA sensitisation & recruitment additional AMPA receptors.
Triggers protein synthesis & generation of additional synapses.

E- blocking LTP prevents normal Spatial Memory.
E- Marris-Water Maze.