tulvings theory of long term memory

Question 1

what stores does he split memory into?

Answer 1

episodic and semantic memory

Question 2

what is semantic memory?

Answer 2

• storing information about the world and is a structured record of facts, meanings, concepts and knowledge about the external world
• meaning of words, as well as general knowledge. It involves conscious thought and is declarative.
• the memories may once have had a personal context but now stands alone as simple knowledge.

Question 3

how does episodic memory transition to semantic memory?

Answer 3

• episodic memory reduces in sensitivity and association to particular events so the information can be generalised as semantic memory

Question 4

what is episodic memory?

Answer 4

• stored information about events that we have experienced in our lives
• conscious thought and is declarative e.g first day at school

Question 5

why are episodic memories important?

Answer 5

• sense of identity, remember past experiences and predict future events
• tend to see yourself as an actor in these memories
• emotional content surrounding the event is part of the memory

Question 6

how are episodic memories time referenced in comparison to semantic?

Answer 6

• episodic = memories are time stamped
• semantic = not time referenced or linked to when it was learnt

Question 7

what is the input for episodic memory?

Answer 7

• continuous input where adding to memory store in a chronological order

Question 8

what is the input for semantic memory?

Answer 8

• can be fragmentary where connections are made once stored

Question 9

what is autonoetic consciousness?

Answer 9

• allows us to ‘time travel’ as we can think back to past events and relive them
• episodic memories have a subjective quality
• when recalling, we know that it is our own personal experience

Question 10

where is episodic memory located in the brain?

Answer 10

hippocampus

Question 11

what does semantic memory allow us to do?

Answer 11

• use language, maths symbols and the relationship between the two
• mentally represent things that are not present

Question 12

where is the semantic memory located in the brain?

Answer 12

frontal and temporal cortex

Question 13

what is the supporting evidence from HM?

Answer 13

• his episodic memory was severely impaired with difficulty recalling events from the past
• semantic memory relatively unaffected (e.g understood the meaning of words)
• provides support for concept of different stores

Question 14

what are the applications for improving memory?

Answer 14

• possible to improve one type of LTM supports there being two stores so can be used to help people with specific memory problems

Question 15

what are the applications of memory being not just about rehearsal but also understanding?

Answer 15

• teachers should be advised that rote learning isn’t the better form of learning
• students should understand the meaning of the information

Question 16

what is the study of belleville et al?

Answer 16

• worked with older participants who had a mild memory impairment
• training programme to improve episodic
• when compared to a control group performed better after training

Question 17

how can the theory help with EWT?

Answer 17

• episodic memories can be distorted by similar information
• police should question witnesses as soon after an event as possible to prevent other accounts affecting memory
• use cues such as reconstruction or going back to the scene

Question 18

how do case studies lack control of variables?

Answer 18

• brain damage naturally occurring
• researcher has no knowledge of the patients memory before damage
• hard to find the cause and effect

Question 19

how can HM be used to refute the theory and what other type of memory does it support?

Answer 19

• after removal of hippocampus he had tests carried out
• e.g. drawing a star in a mirror and everyday he improved
• supports existence of procedural memory (actions, skills and how we do things) = reduced credibility