Explanation of long-term memory Flashcards
Who proposed the idea of episodic and semantic memory as an explanation of long term memory?
Tulving (1972)
What is meant by a semantic memory?
General knowledge and facts
- Origin of forming the memory can’t be recalled
- Associated with other facts that link concepts together
How are semantic memories encoded?
Acoustically
How are semantic memories retrieved?
- Can be based on inferences, logical thought and generalisation
- Doesn’t rely on context or cues
How are semantic memories forgotten?
Memory trace is strong and is less susceptible to change
- Facts always remain the same (e.g 2+2=4 is always true)
Where are semantic memories processed?
Frontal and temporal cortexes
What is meant by a episodic memory?
Events that we experience
- These memories are linked to time and concept
How are episodic memories encoded?
Uses all forms
How are episodic memories retrieved?
Can be retrieved using cues and context
How are episodic memories forgotten?
Retrieval failure
- Episodic memory is susceptible to transformation
Where are episodic memories processed?
The hippocampus
Are semantic and episodic memories interelated?
Semantic memory is not dependant on episodic, however episodic memory usually uses sematic
What is a strength of Tulving’s explanation of LTM?
Supporting evidence KC - PEE
P - A strength of Tulving’s explanation of LTM is supporting evidence from the case study of KC.
E - KC had impairments to his LTM due to a motorbike accident and was unable to recall personal events but had good factual recall. His semantic memory was intact but his episodic memory was destroyed.
E - Therefore, this is evidence for a difference between episodic memory and semantic memory.
What is a weakness of Tulving’s explanation of LTM?
P - A weakness of Tulving’s explanation of LTM is opposing evidence from the case study of HM.
E - When HM was asked to copy a star by drawing between the lines of a template, he improved his drawing over time despite not ever recalling drawing the star.
E - Therefore, this suggests that there is a third LTM store which involves skills you do not have to think about to carry out.
What is a strength of Tulving’s explanation of LTM?
P - The theory of Tulving’s LTM can be used to make eye-witness testimonies more accurate.
E - Tulving’s LTM states that episodic memories rely on cues that were attached at the time of encoding in order to be retrieved.
E - Therefore, this suggests that in order to gain a more accurate EWT, police should use cues such as contextual reinstatement in the cognitive interview in which witnesses re-imagine the scene of the crime.
