Memory- Long Term Memory Flashcards
Types of Long Term Memory
Tulving(1985) suggested that LTM is a multi part system made of two or more systems containing different types of information.
EPISODIC MEMORY:
Episodic Is our ability to recall personal experiences and events from our lives. You have to make a concious(explicit) effort to recall episodic memories. Ie u are able to search your memory of what happened. The strength of episodic memory is emotion present at time of when memory is coded. TIME STAMPED so u remember when they happen.
SEMANTIC MEMORY:
Contains facts about the world. Concious(explicit) type of memory. Its the knowledge base for everything you know. Less personal and not time stamped as u dont know when u first learnt how orange taste eg.
PROCEDURAL MEMORY:
Memory for skills and actions. We can recall without conscious awareness(implicit). Occurs early in life. Difficult to explain the skills.
Evaluation
Neuro imaging research evidence-
Empirical research support for LTM having difficult subsystems comes from tulving et al who used brain scan studies to show that different types of memory are stored in different parts of the brain. In the research participants were asked to perform various memory tasks whilst scanning their brain using PET scans. He found that episodic memory were recalled from pre frontal cortex and semantic in the posterior region of the cortex. This suggests that the types of memory are separate and PET scans provide neuro imaging evidence.
Real life applications:
Research support for different types of memory allows psychologists and clinicians to improve peoples lives. Episodic memory is type of memory thats effected by mild cognitive impairment which highlights the benefits of being able to distinction between types of LTM. Belleville et al demonstrated that episodic memory could be improved in older people who has mild cognitive impairment. Trained participants performed better on test of episodic memory after training than a control group. Suggests that if psychologists know about the separate stores of LTM then treatment programmes can be developed to help these people which means the contribution to clinical world if highly valuable.
Difficult to explain:
One main issue with the LTM subsystems theory is that the extent to which episodic and semantic memory stores are different is unclear. Although different brain systems are involved theres alot of overlap between the 2. Because we acquire knowledge based on personal experiences semantic can originate in episodic memory. Thus unclear if semantic memory is a gradual transformation from episodic rather than separate systems. As this is difficult to explain is questions the validity of the theory.
Low population validity of using case study:
A limitation of research into LTM is it uses small samples. Clive wearing which have provided useful about what happens when memory is damaged. But, such studies are unique to one person and means findings cant be generalised. This research lacks population validity.
