Memory and forgetting Flashcards
Lecture 4
What test was use to test retrograde amnesia?
Butters and Albert 1982 famous face test.
LTEM
LTEM is disrupted in the temporal lobe, but semantic memory is relatively intact.
Explain priming.
Priming is the idea that exposure to one stimulus may influence a response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention. This is spared in the temporal lobe amnesia.
What task, test the priming effect?
The word fragment completion task (35ms).
Define habits.
Habits formation is a process by which behavioural control shifts from goal dependance to context dependance. Habits are intact in temporal lobe amnesia.
Define implicit memory.
Info remembered uncosciously and effortlessly.
Define explicit memory.
Info you consciously work to remember.
Implicit memory leads to…
Skills, priming and habits
Explicit memory leads to…
Episodic and semantic memory
What are the 4 ‘sins’ of memory related to forgetting.
1- transience/memory decay
2. blocking/retrieval
3. absentmindedness/encoding failure
4.Persistance
Explain transience/memory decay.
This refers to reduced memory over time. This is because of the weakening connections between neurons. This is also when memories interfere with each other, and we start getting confused.
What are the 2 types of interferences memories can experience?
Retroactive- new learning interferes with old.
proactive- old interferes with new.
Explain blocking/retrieval.
Inability to remember needed info. This info is stored but you can’t access it at the moment. This is called intact amnesia.
Explain absentmindedness/encoding failure.
Shallow encoding of events usually due to a failure to pay attention.
Explain persistence.
The resurgence of unwanted or disturbing memories that one would like to forget e.g., remembering an embarrassing moment.
