Memory - Types of Long-Term Memory

Question 1

What are the two main types of long-term memory?

Answer 1

• explicit memory - declarative ‘knowing that’

- implicit memory - procedural ‘knowing how’

Question 2

Definition of episodic memory

Answer 2

• personal memories of events.
• includes contextual details plus emotional tone.
• an event or groups of events occurring as a part of a larger sequence.
• three elements: specific details of the event, the context, and the emotion.

Question 3

Definition of semantic memory

Answer 3

• shared memories for facts and knowledge.
• these can be concrete (obvious) or abstract
• relates to things, such as functions of objects, behaviour, such as social customs, and abstract concepts, such as maths and language.
• start off as episodic.

Question 4

Definition of procedural memory

Answer 4

• memory for how to do things, such as riding a bike.
• such memories are automatic as the result of repeated practice.
• ‘how’ rather than ‘what’.
• acquired through repetition and practice.
• implicit.
• automatic with repetition, disrupted if you think about them.