Memory: Types Of Long-Term Memory Flashcards
What is Tulvings Theory of types of long term memory store?
Tulving proposed a theoretical model for long term memory in which information is stored in three distinct stores: episodic, semantic and procedural.
What is Episodic Memory?
> A persons autobiographical memory store. It stores information on the events a person has experienced.
“stamped” with temporal and spatial information.
Explicit memory- understand a conscious control
Declarative memory (expressed in language)
What is a Semantic Memory?
> The memory of our general knowledge of the world. Including information and facts.
Not “stamped” with temporal or spatial information.
Explicit memories- Under conscious control
Declarative memory (expressed through language)
What is Procedural memory?
> A memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. Like walking & talking
Not “stamped” with temporal or spatial information (meaning when we remember how to do things this memory isn’t necessary)
Implicit memories - Not generally understand conscious control
Non Declarative (meaning they are not expressed in language)
Explain what an important implication of Tulvings theory of types of LTM.
It challenges the multi-store model of memory. The MSM argues that LTM represents a single memory store but Tulving was the first psychologist to challenge this simplicity depiction of LTM as his theory proposes that it is actually a tripartite system. However, Tulvings theory does not challenge the entirety of the MSM and therefore his contribution can be seen as an elaboration of the previous theory rather than an objection. Therefore, Tulvings theory of types of LTM has made an important contribution to our understanding of memory in that it has helped develop less sophisticated models.
How does research support Tulvings theory of Long Term Memory?
For example, a patient codenamed HM showed steady improvement on his ability to solve a maze problem he was shown each day, despite him having severe amnesia that stopped him remembering having completed the maze problem on the previous day. HMs inability to remember the maze from the previous day was evidence that his episodic memory had been damaged, however since he was able to complete the maze with improved ability suggests his procedural memory was still functioning fine. This supports Tulvings Theory of types of LTM as we would expect that damage to the LTM would effect all aspects of LTM, but the fact that one memory store could be damaged whilst the other is still functioning provides support for multiple types of LTM. However, this evidence relies on a single case study which may be unrepresentative meaning evidence cannot be generalised to the broader population as HM was one person with a unique brain injury. Nonetheless, cases like this should not be ignored but further investigated.
What is a Weakness of Tulvings research support?
According to Cohen and Squires theory, LTM can be understood as two separate systems, non-declarative and declarative. This challenges Tulvings theory as both episodic and semantic memories are declarative therefore, according to Cohen and Squires they are apart of the same declarative systems meaning Tulving was wrong to separate them. But, they did accept Tulvings claim that procedural memory (non-declarative) is separate, meaning his theory isn’t completely wrong. Evidence to support Cohen an d Squires theory is that people with anterograde amnesia typically experience impairment of both their semantic and episodic memories, suggesting these types of memory are part of a single system. However, in the case of a girl called C.L who developed this type of amnesia, it was determined that she retained semantic memory whilst having extreme impairment of episodic memory. This suggests these memory’s are separate otherwise we would expect them to effect each other. Therefore, although there are reasons to doubt Tulvings claim, psychology has not user reached a firm conclusion whether any of these theories are correct.
