Memory - Type of Long Term Memory Flashcards
What are the three types of long-term memory (LTM)?
Episodic memory, semantic memory, and procedural memory.
Define episodic memory.
A long-term memory store for personal events. It includes memories of when the events occurred and of the people, objects, places, and behaviors involved. Memories from this store have to be retrieved consciously and with effort.
What are the features of episodic memory?
Episodic memories are time-stamped, so you remember when they happened. They involve several elements, such as people, places, and behaviours, which are woven into a single memory. Retrieval requires conscious effort.
Define semantic memory.
A long-term memory store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts and our knowledge of what words and concepts mean. These memories usually need to be recalled deliberately.
What are the features of semantic memory?
Semantic memories are not time-stamped, meaning we don’t usually remember when we first learned them. It contains immense collections of material, constantly added to, such as facts and concepts.
Define procedural memory.
A long-term memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. This includes our memories of learned skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or deliberate effort.
What are the features of procedural memory?
Procedural memories are typically retrieved without conscious awareness. They involve learned motor skills, such as driving or swimming, and can be difficult to explain in words.
What is one evaluation point for types of long-term memory?
Clinical evidence supports the distinction between types of LTM. Case studies of HM and Clive Wearing showed that their episodic memory was severely impaired, but semantic and procedural memories remained intact. For example, Clive Wearing could still play the piano but could not remember having owned a dog. This evidence supports the idea that different types of memory are stored in different parts of the brain.
What is another evaluation point for types of LTM?
Neuroimaging evidence provides physical proof for different types of LTM. Tulving et al. (1994) asked participants to perform memory tasks while their brains were scanned using a PET scanner. Episodic and semantic memories were both recalled from the prefrontal cortex, but in different hemispheres. This supports the validity of the idea that there are physically distinct stores for different types of memory.
What is a further evaluation point for types of LTM?
Real-life applications of research into LTM are beneficial. For example, Belleville et al. (2006) demonstrated that episodic memory could be improved in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Trained participants performed better on episodic memory tasks than a control group. This highlights the importance of being able to distinguish between types of LTM to develop specific treatments.
What is a final evaluation point for types of LTM?
Problems with clinical evidence exist. The reliance on case studies like HM and Clive Wearing may limit generalizability because such cases are unique. Additionally, the lack of control over variables in these studies makes it difficult to establish cause and effect. Despite this, clinical studies are valuable in providing insights into how memory works.
