Types of long term memory Flashcards
What is procedural memory
‘An implicit memory that does not rely on conscious re-collection
What are procedural memories used for
Motor skills such as riding a bike or changing fear on a car without conscious thought (muscle memory)
What is a declarative memories
An explicit memory which can be consciously inspected. There are two types of declarative memory - semantic and episodic
What are the two types of declarative memories
Semantic and episodic
What is a semantic memory?
Memory of general knowledge about the world. This meaningful information is stored bu not where or how it was learned.
What is episodic memory?
Memory for life events that we have experienced personally or been told about by another source
What case study is evidence for separate components of LTM
At 27, HM had his hippocampus removed to cure epilepsy. His memory was affected dramatically, he could recall most memories from before the operation but could not form new memories. Although he could not recall what he had eaten for breakfast, he could acquire new procuderual memories
What was Clive Wearings Case Study
He was a musician who suffered a rare brain infection in 2985 which left him with a memory only for current events. If asked if he could play the piano he would say no but he could in fact play.
What is the difference between the types of LTM
declarative knowledge is stored in episodic and semantic systems, motor skills are stored as procedural knowledge.
One of the differences between them is whether they can be expressed in words; it is easy to explain declarative but not procedural knowledge in words
