Forgetting - Lack Of Consolidation Flashcards
What does lack of consolidation argue is needed to make a memory?
TIME-DEPENDENT changes in the NERVOUS SYSTEM must occur as a result of LEARNING
What happens when we store new information?
When we STORE new info, groups of NEURONS in the BRAIN (cell assemblies) become MODIFIED
However, these cell assemblies must hold the info long enough for the memories to become PERMANENT
How long is the process of consolidation thought to last?
30 MINUTES
What happens if consolidation is INTERRUPTED or DISRUPTED?
A permanent trace in the LTM is not established and the memories become LOST/FORGOTTEN
What causes lack of consolidation?
HEAD TRAUMA/CONCUSSION
SOME DRUGS/TOXINS
ECT (electro-convulsive therapy)
What was the method used by Yarnell and Lynch (1970) to investigate the effects of a blow to the head on memory?
AMERICAN FOOTBALLERS who had suffered CONCUSSION during a game were approached IMMEDIATELY after they regained consciousness.
They were asked about details of play AS SOON AS THEY CAME ROUND, and then asked AGAIN 20 mins later
What were the results of Yarnell and Lynch’s 1970 study?
When asked IMMEDIATELY, the concussed players have ACCURATE info
Those asked 20 mins after regaining consciousness were UNABLE to give ANY info
What conclusion did Yarnell and Lynch draw from their results?
The blow to the head led to a DISRUPTION of the consolidation process needed to make the memory trace PERMANENT
This CANNOT be due to a failure to take in info in the first place, as it was AVAILABLE for recall IMMEDIATELY after regaining consciousness
What is the evidence that supports the biological basis?
Neuroscientists have suggested that the neurochemical ACETYCHOLINE plays a vital part in the consolidation process
DRACHMAN and SAHAKIAN (1979)
What is the other clinical evidence that supports a lack of consolidation?
Studies of patients undergoing ECT demonstrate that this treatment causes memory loss for events just BEFORE the treatment is given (retrograde amnesia)
After a ONE-HOUR delay, perfect retention occurs
Give one strength of lack of consolidation?
Theory COMBINES both BIOLOGICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES to explain human behaviour
Give one weakness of lack of consolidation?
LIMITED APPLICATION
most instances of REAL-LIFE forgetting do NOT include blows to the head, psychoactive drugs or brain surgery
Therefore this theory can only explain a very SMALL number of instances or forgetting
Explain a lack of consolidation
Suggests that forgetting has a BIOLOGICAL BASIS
