Long Term Memory Flashcards
What is one strength of the long term memory explanation ?
P - one strength is case study evidence of different types of LTM
E - clinical studies of amnesia ( HM + Wearing) showed both had difficulty recalling events that had happened to them in their pasts (episodic) - but their semantic was unaffected (e.g. HM did not need concept of dog explained to them) - procedural memories also intact
E - this supports the view that there are different memory stores in LTM because one store can be damaged but other stores are unaffected
Name on limitation of the LTM explanation ?
P - one limitation is conflicting findings about types of LTM and brain areas
E - researchers agree prefrontal cortex involves semantic memory + the right PFC is episodic memory - however , Tulving concluded that the left PFC also plays a role in episodic memory
E - this challenges neuropsychological evidence on types of memory as there is not universal agreement
Name another strength of the LTM explanation ?
P - another strength is helping people with memory problems
E - memory loss in old age is specific to episodic memory - it’s harder to recall memories of recent experiences although past episodic memories are intact - Belleville et al devised intervention for older people targeting episodic memory , which improved their memory compare to a control group
E - this shows that distinguishing between types of LTM enables specific treatments to be developed
Name another strength/limitation of the LTM explanation ?
P - one strength / limitation is that episodic and semantic memories are the same but also different
E - recently Tulving, said episodic memories are a ‘specialised subcategory’ of semantic - an intact semantic memory can function with a damaged episodic but not vice versa - however, Hodges + Patterson found some patients with Alzheimer’s disease can form new episodic memories but not semantic
E - therefore , episodic and semantic memories are closely related but ultimately different forms of LTM
What is episodic memory ?
Personal memories or events , such as what you did yesterday or your favourite teacher - this kind of memory includes contextual details plus emotional tone - so episodic memories three specific elements to them to the detail which are : the context , the emotion + the event
What is procedural memory ?
Memory for how to do things for example riding a bicycle or learning how to read - such memories are automatic as a result of repeated practice - they are more concerned with skills and we are less aware of them since they come from the unconscious mind (non-declarative)
What are semantic memories ?
Shared memories of fact + knowledge - these memories may be concrete , like knowing ice is made of water ,or abstract such as maths (declarative)