long term memory types Flashcards
Why is the MSM’s description of LTM considered outdated?
It describes LTM as a single unitary store, but research suggests at least three distinct types.
What are the three types of long-term memory?
Episodic memory, semantic memory, and procedural memory.
What is episodic memory?
A type of explicit memory involving personal experiences (e.g., your first day at school).
What is explicit memory?
A type of long-term memory that requires conscious recall of facts, events, or experiences.
What factors influence the strength of episodic memories?
Emotional intensity at the time of encoding; requires conscious effort to retrieve.
What is semantic memory?
A type of explicit memory involving general knowledge, facts, and concepts (e.g., knowing London is the capital of England).
How do semantic memories differ from episodic memories?
Semantic memories are not tied to a specific event, lack a time stamp, and are often less personal.
What is procedural memory?
A type of implicit memory involving skills, actions, or motor tasks (e.g., swimming, writing).
What is implicit memory?
A type of long-term memory that influences thoughts and actions without conscious awareness.
How are procedural memories formed?
Through repetition and practice, making them automatic and difficult to explain in words.
Which type of LTM is declarative?
Episodic and semantic memory.
Which type of LTM is non-declarative?
Procedural memory.
Which types of LTM are consciously inspected?
Episodic and semantic memory.
Which types of LTM include time and place?
Episodic memory.
Which brain regions are associated with episodic memory?
Hippocampus.
Which brain regions are associated with semantic memory?
Temporal lobes.
Which brain regions are associated with procedural memory?
Basal ganglia and cerebellum.
What is one strength of LTM types supported by brain scans?
Tulving et al. (1994) found that episodic and semantic memories activate different areas of the prefrontal cortex.
How do PET scans support the idea of distinct LTM types?
Episodic memory is associated with the right prefrontal cortex, while semantic memory is associated with the left.
How is procedural memory supported by neuroimaging studies?
It is linked to the cerebellum, separate from explicit memory.
What is a practical application of distinguishing LTM types?
Belleville et al. showed that episodic memory training improved memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Why is differentiating between LTM types useful in therapy?
It allows targeted interventions, particularly for memory deficits in conditions like Alzheimer’s.
What is one criticism of distinguishing LTM types?
Cohen & Squire (1980) argue that episodic and semantic memory should be classified as ‘declarative memory.’
What does Kan et al. (2009) suggest about episodic and semantic memory?
They may not be entirely distinct and could rely on shared processes.
Why does the overlap between episodic and semantic memory matter?
It challenges the strict separation of LTM types and suggests they may be interdependent.
What alternative LTM type has been proposed?
Priming – where implicit memories influence responses to stimuli.
How does priming provide evidence for separate LTM types?
It operates independently from brain regions controlling explicit memory, suggesting another distinct form of memory.
What is an example of priming in memory?
If a person sees the word ‘yellow’ and is later asked to name a fruit, they are more likely to say ‘banana.’
What is a limitation of current LTM theories regarding priming?
They may be too simplistic, as additional LTM types might exist beyond episodic, semantic, and procedural memory.
