Task2 - LTM & Consolidation Flashcards
What’s the effect of repetition on respectively semantic and episodic memories?
It strengthens semantic and weakens episodic memory.
Semantic & Episodic memories depend on the functioning of…
the medial temporal lobes
What is a main division between kinds of memory?
Semantic vs Episodic
Name some differences between semantic and episodic memory.
Episodic mem. Is personal, whereas semantic memory does not depend on the memory being experienced by you personally.
What is it called when a memory cannot easily be communicated?
Nondeclarative memory
What are implicit memories?
Memories that you are not aware of.
Are implicit memories dependent on the medial temporal lobes?
No.
Explain the standard theory of memory consolidation.
- Hippocampus is the central relay station (teacher)
- Especially at night, the HC coactivates cortical areas related with a memory, so the memory is consolidated over time through neural plasticity.
If the std. theory of memory consolidation is true, this leads to the assumption of what kind of amnesia?
graded retrograde amnesia: older memories are remembered more, since they are more deeply consolidated.
Explain the multiple trace theory of memory consolidation.
Same as std. theory, but the HC is a constant part of the process. (No HC-independent stage)
Why is the HC a constant part in the multiple trace theory?
The HC has a place coding system and is thus very important in episodic memories. In this theory, semantic memories are just episodic memories, that are stripped of their context.
What does the word “multiple” in multiple trace theory entail?
Multiple because: after each retrieval, a memory has to be reconsolidated in a new trace.
What does the “levels-of-processing effect” say?
That the more thoroughly you think about something (the deeper the level of understanding) the better this information is encoded in your memory
Memory retrieval works best, if the situation at retrieval of information is similar to that of the time when the information was initially encoded. What is the name of this phenomenon?
Transfer-appropriate processing effect
Name three kinds of recall
free recall, cued recall, recognition
What is the desirable difficulties phenomenon?
Testing with a high level of difficulty strengthens our recall ability efficiently.
What is “passive forgetting”?
Natural forgetting that occurs over time.
Name at least 5 sources of memory loss
Passive forgetting, directed forgetting, interference, source monitoring error, amnesia
Define “interference”.
When content of a memory overlaps with that of another, which weakens both memories.
What are the two subtypes of interference?
Proactive interference and Retroactive interference. Pro: when old information hinders the encoding of new information; Retro: When old memories are “overwritten” by new information
What is “Anterograde Amnesia”
When after an injury no new memories can be formed
Patient HM
- Discovered by Brenda Milner, operated by Scoville
- in 1933, at age 27, HM had a surgery that removed removed parts of his medial temporal lobes including the HC
- trying to cure his epilepsy
- This left him unable to form new memories. However, he could still remember some childhood memories and learn new skills
What is the organization effect and the experiment that showed its existence?
- > If information can be organized together in some way (by content or some other unifying factor), it is more easily remembered.
- > Experiment: Reading a short text with vs without context. -> Participants who knew the topic beforehand remembered much more of what has been read.
Where is the Hippocampus located?
In the medial temporal lobe, posterior to the Amygdala
