EXPLANATION OF LONG-TERM MEMORY (EPISODIC & SEMANTIC)

Question 1

What is episodic memory?

2

Answer 1

• LT mem system for personal events

- Autobiographical

Question 2

What is semantic memory?

2

Answer 2

• LT mem system for knowledge of the world

- Facts, knowledge of what words/concepts mean

Question 3

Evaluate episodic/semantic memory

3

Answer 3

Distinction between EM/SM memories supported by HM. HM mem impaired from brain damage. Difficulty recalling past events, sem = unaffected e.g. understood meanings of words. Diff mem stores

Tulving showed can have fully functioning SM w damaged EM. Amnesia patient know past events happened to them, can’t experience them (episodic). Not possible = working EM + damaged SM. ^Complex relationship

Belleville found compared w control group, old ppt performed better on test of EM after training. Possible to improve 1 type of LTM = different types of LTM. Help people w specific memory problems

Question 4

What is autonoetic consciousness (Tulving)?

1

Answer 4

• When we remember past event, immediately aware it is part of our personal experience (not a dream)

Question 5

What are the features of episodic memory?

3

Answer 5

• Time stamped (remember when happened)
• Store info of how events relate to each other in time
• Subjective quality no other memory has (relive moment)

Question 6

What are the features of semantic memory?

3

Answer 6

• Mentally represent things that aren’t there
• Less vulnerable to distortion/forgetting than episodic
• Less personal about general facts