Long Term Memory (Memory) Flashcards
Encoding
This is the way information is changed so it can be stored in memory. It enters via the senses but is stored in different forms: visual, acoustic, semantic.
Explicit LTM
(declarative) as you can put it into words. These have to be consciously thought about to be recalled. Often formed through several combined memories.
These include semantic and episodic memories.
Implicit LTM
(non-declarative) which is more difficult to put into words. These can be recalled without conscious thought.
These include procedural memories.
Episodic memory
Personal experiences which are time stamped. Conscious effort to recall. Strength of memory is influenced by emotion.
Stored in the RIGHT Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus
Semantic Memory
Factual knowledge and individual has learned. These are not time stamped. Linked to episodic as new knowledge is linked to experience.
Stored in the LEFT Prefrontal Cortex and the Hippocampus.
Procedural Memory
Concerned with learning motor skills without conscious effort. Difficult to explain in words. Also involved in language. Stored in the Motor Cortex, Prefrontal Cortex and Cerebellum.
Right Prefrontal Cortex
in the forward part of the frontal lobe and is associated with initial coding of episodic memory.
Hippocampus
Memories of the different parts of an event are located in the different visual, auditory, olfactory areas of the brain but are connected together in the hippocampus to create a memory of an episode.
Is also believed to be involved in semantic memory, but there is disagreement.
Left Prefrontal Cortex
Coding associated with the frontal and temporal lobes.
Motor Cortex and Prefrontal Cortex
associated with procedural LTM and aid in the memories of how to walk etc.
Cerebellum
Helps with timing and coordination of movements, making them smooth and precise. Recent research also suggests a role in higher cognitive processes.
Henry Molaison
Lost his memory at a young age after an operation on his brain. Showed that memory was not the property of the entire brain, but rather specific parts of it.
Clive Wearing
A virus destroyed part of his brain, leaving him with no memory. Despite memory loss, he retained his fundamental intelligence. He had lost episodic memory, but still remembered general things (his marriage, but not the wedding).
(Positive) Clinical Evidence for LTM Stores
HM+CW’s episodic memory was severely impacted by their amnesia. They had difficulty recalling past events
Semantic memory was unaffected. They understood the meaning of words.
Procedural memory was also intact. They could walk, talk and tie shoelaces.
-Supports Tulving’s view that there are different memory stores in the LTM.
(Negative) Clinical Evidence for LTM Stores
Case studies are very unique to the individual so it is difficult to make generalisations regarding the information gathered.
