Memory - type of long-term memory

Question 1

Who proposed there are 3 different types of LTM?

Answer 1

Endel Tulving (1967)

Question 2

What are the 3 types of LTM called?

Answer 2

Episodic, semantic and procedural

Question 3

Describe episodic memory

Answer 3

Personal events - has to be consciously recalled so is declarative

Question 4

What 3 elements are involved in episodic memories?

Answer 4

Details of the event, the event itself and associated emotion are interwoven into a single memory

Question 5

Example of episodic memory

Answer 5

1st day of school

Question 6

Are episodic memories time-stamped?

Answer 6

Yes - (you know when they’re made)

Question 7

What region of the brain are episodic memories associated with?

Answer 7

Hippocampus and right prefrontal cortex - Tulving (1994)

Question 8

Describe semantic memory

Answer 8

Information about the world (meaning of words as well as general knowledge). Has to be consciously recalled so is declarative

Question 9

Give an example of semantic memory

Answer 9

London is the capital of England

Question 10

Are semantic memories time stamped?

Answer 10

They often start off as episodic memories but are NOT time stamped - less vulnerable to distortion than episodic

Question 11

What region of the brain are semantic memories associated with?

Answer 11

Left prefrontal cortex - Tulving (1994)

Question 12

Describe procedural memory

Answer 12

How to do things and carry out complex motor tasks (they’re hard to explain). Don’t have to be consciously recalled so are non-declarative and free up working memory

Question 13

Example of a procedural memory

Answer 13

Knowing how to ride a bike

Question 14

Are procedural memories time stamped?

Answer 14

No

Question 15

What region of the brain of procedural memories associated with?

Answer 15

Cerebellum and motor cortex

Question 16

What is a strength of the theory of different LTM types? - Can be seen in case studies of patients with brain damage

Answer 16

===> Most famous case study is that of HM. After surgery removing part of hippocampus, HM could still form new procedural memories but not episodic or semantic. For example, he gradually improved at a mirror drawing task despite not remembering magazine he had read early in day. Non-declarative memory still intact but declarative memories impaired. Proves existence of separate and distinct types of LTM

Question 17

What is a strength of the theory of different LTM types? - Supportive evidence from brain scans

Answer 17

===> Tulving et al (1994) study where ppts. did memory tasks whilst undergoing PET scans. Episodic and semantic memories activated regions in prefrontal cortex (semantic associated with left hemisphere and episodic with right). Procedural memory associated with cerebellum. Worth noting there are conflicting findings. Buckner and Petersen (1996) found semantic memory residing in right prefrontal cortex and episodic in the left. Lack of agreement regarding specific locations weakens neurological evidence and calls for further investigation

Question 18

What is a limitation of the theory of different LTM types? - Some researchers believe there are only 2 LTM stores

Answer 18

===> Cohen and Squire (1980) concur procedural memories are one type of LTM but argue episodic and semantic are stored together. Collectively refer to them as declarative memory, encompassing memories that have to be consciously recalled, while procedural are non-declarative. Crucial to differentiate between these types of memory as can impact design and implementation of memory studies and is important in assisting patients with amnesia. Presence of contradictory evidence challenges theory

Question 19

What is a strength of the theory of different LTM types? - Practical application allows psychologists to enhance specific memories and improve lives

Answer 19

===> Belville at al (2006) conducted study showing episodic memory could be enhanced in older individuals with mild ‘cognitive impairment’. Trained group (received episodic memory strategies) performed better in test than those without. As episodic memory is vulnerable to mild cognitive impairment, being able to differentiate between different LTM types enables targeted therapy to address specific memory defects