Memory 2 - Brain's Role in Memory Flashcards
What parts of the brain have a role in memory?
- amygdala
- hippocampus
- cerebellum
- prefrontal cortex
What is the amygdala’s role in memory? What part of the amygdala? Is it declarative or non-declarative?
- lateral amygdala connects emotion to memory (declarative and non-declarative)
- works in emotionally arousing events especially
What is the hippocampus’s role in memory? Is it declarative or non-declarative?
- episodic memories (declarative)
- recognition memory and consolidation
- calls on parts of the brain to reconstruct a memory
What is the cerebellum’s role in memory? Is it declarative or non-declarative?
- procedural memories (non-declarative)
- motor learning and classical conditioning
What are the parts of the prefrontal cortex’s role in memory? Is it declarative or non-declarative?
- inferior frontal gyrus: semantic (declarative)
- left (Broca’s area): semantic (declarative)
- right: retrieval
What is the equipotentiality hypothesis?
- if part of the brain involved in memory is damaged, another part takes over
- evidence in “engram” (memory trace)
- all parts of the brain are involved
What role do neurotransmitters play in memory? Which neurotransmitters?
- long-term potentiation
- repeated actions = more efficient neural pathways
- strengthens memories
- dopamine
- serotonin (arousal)
- norepinephrine
- glutamate (stress)
- acetylcholine (learning)
What is the arousal theory? What is the role of stress?
- the stronger the emotion, the stronger the memory
- stress releases glutamate which has a role in memory
flashbulb memories: clear recollection of important memory
What can happen to our memories if the hippocampus is damaged?
amnesia: loss of long term memory
- caused by physical/psychological trauma/disease
What is anterograde amnesia?
- remember prior to trauma
- consolidation error: can’t form new memories
What is retrograde amnesia?
- no memories prior to the trauma
- episodic error: can’t remember old memories
