Tulving long-term memory model of memory, (CP) Flashcards
Summary of episodic and semantic memory. Nature, time, spatial, retrieval + forgetting
Episodic:
- Nature = Mental diary
- Time = events that have happened to you that are liked to the time occurred. Time concept happened
- Spatial = continuous, whole episodes are input at one time
- Retrieval + forgetting = retrieval using cues which are encoded at the point of learning. Forgetting due to retrieval cue failure. Memory trace can be transformed/changed
Semantic:
- Nature = remembers the facts, words, rules, meanings and concepts. No autobiographical association
- Time = independent of time referencing
- Spatial = fragmented, input at different times and then put together later
- Retrieval + forgetting = retrieve possible without learning context (not cued retrieval) memory trace is more robust and less susceptible to transformation
Evaluate a strength of Tulving’s LTM model (with counter argument)
I - There is supportive evidence from brain damaged patients which supports Tulving’s idea that there are two separate stores in the LTM.
J - KF suffered brain damage after a motorbike accident, and this left him unable to form or recall memories from personal events in his life (episodic). However, he was able to recall factual information (semantic).
E - This case study supports the idea of separate long-term stores, but also indicates that these may be stored in different regions of the brain giving avenues for further research.
Counter Argument - However, such case studies involve individuals with very unique brain injuries and circumstances. These differences in the nature of how their brains function may make it more difficult to apply findings on memory based on them to other individuals who have not suffered the same injuries.
Evaluate a weakness of Tulving’s LTM model (with counter argument)
I - Clive Wearing and HM’s case studies provide contradictory evidence to Tulving’s LTM model, suggesting the division to just episodic and semantic memory is too simplistic.
J - Whilst both men suffered damage to their memory, they were still able to use certain types of long-term memories as they were able to complete skills they had known how to do before their brain damage, such as signing their own name and playing the piano. These skills do not fit into episodic, nor semantic memory
E - This suggests that LTM may be more
complex than Tulving originally stated.
Counter argument - However, Tulving later amended the LTM model adding divisions for explicit/declarative memory which contained both the episodic and semantic memory stores, but also had a division for implicit/procedural memory which explained the retention of skills such as those observed in HM and Clive Wearing.
