Memory: Long term memory

Question 1

Endel Tulving

Answer 1

One of the first cognitive psychologists to argue that the multistore model was too simplistic, and that there are different types of LTM (1985)

Question 2

Episodic memory

Answer 2

Responsible for storing information about events we’ve experienced
Conscious and declarative

Question 3

Procedural memory

Answer 3

Responsible for knowing how to do things, i.e. motor skills

Unconscious and automatic

Question 4

Semantic memory

Answer 4

Stores information about the world, including knowledge of facts, concepts and ideas
Conscious and declarative

Question 5

Strengths of types of LTM

Answer 5

The case of HM supports Tulving’s view that there are different memory stores in LTM, as one type can be damaged, and another functioning properly
Brain scan evidence supports the view that there is a physical reality to the different types of LTM within the brain
Real life experiments/Belleville’s experiments (2006) shows the benefit of being able to differentiate between the different types of LTM as specific treatments for cognitive impairments can be developed

Question 6

Types of LTM

Answer 6

Procedural memory, semantic memory and episodic memory

Question 7

Weaknesses of types of LTM

Answer 7

Problems with case studies - case studies cannot be generalised and so it cannot be certain whether results apply to the entire population, and so Tulving’s theory cannot be proved with case studies alone