HM (Miler)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

investigate the role of damage to the hippocampus on memory

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

Hm suffered epileptic seizures during his childhood. as he got older the seizures worsened, so he agreed to undergo a radical experimental surgery. They removed parts of his hippocampus which was the region they believed was causing the seizures. Tissue from lobes from both parts of his brain were removed.

Question 3

Results

Answer 3

The surgery was successful in some ways but not completely. Hm had no general intellectual impairment but he suffered anterograde amnesia he lacked the ability to form new memories from the surgery and onwards. He also suffered retrograde amnesia meaning he could recall early memories but not recall experiences few years back from his surgery. His short term memory was intact but he could not create new explicit memories that is episodic (events) and semantic(general knowledge).
During the famous star tracing test the researchers concluded his procedural memory was intact and also that the hippocampus plays a role in explicit memory and not so much in procedural memory. Therefore procedural memory has to be localized somewhere else in the brain.

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

In conclusion this study shows that the hippocampus plays a role in memory processing and storage of new memories supporting the theory of localisation of function. The hippocampus plays a role in converting memories and experiences from short term to long term. It also supports that procedural memory is locaised elsewhere

Question 5

GENERAL DISCUSSION ( brain)

Answer 5

The brain is part of the central nervous system. The human brain is divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. Each lobe has specific functions. The frontal lobe is involved in decision-making, personality, and motor control. The parietal lobe processes sensory information. The temporal lobe is responsible for auditory processing, memory.The occipital lobe is dedicated to visual processing. The localization theory of function states that different cognitive processes and behaviors are located in specific areas of the brain. This theory has helped researchers understand how lesions in particular brain regions can result in specific cognitive disorders. there is a strict localisation of function a more recent theory…

Question 6

LINK understanding brain and behaviour

Answer 6

Strength of this research method, case study, is that it is longitudinal this increases the findings of the study. The study also has high ecological validity since hm was observed in his natural environment. Case studies used method triangualation which also increases the validity of findings. This studt also enforces the furtehr reserch on the brain.