Types of Long Term Memory

Question 1

Outline what is meant by episodic memory.

Answer 1

Episodic memory refers to our ability to recall events from our lives. These type of memories are time stamped and so we can remember when they happened as well as what happened in them. These memories must be recalled consciously and with effort.

Question 2

Outline what is meant by semantic memory.

Answer 2

Semantic memory refers to shared knowledge of the world for example how to do things as well as what things taste and smell like. These memories are less personal and more about facts everyone shares - these memories need to be recalled deliberately.

Question 3

Outline what is meant by procedural memory.

Answer 3

Procedural memory refers to our learned skills. For example, swimming and driving. In contrast to semantic and episodic memories, procedural memories are recalled unconsciously.

Question 4

What are two strengths of the types of LTM?

Answer 4

1. Research support.

After developing amnesia, Clive Wearing could still play the piano and so had his procedural memory however, he could not remember events that had happened in his life. For example, he could not remember his music lessons or his daughter getting married. Therefore his episodic memory was impaired.
Suggests there are different types of LTM as if these memories were one type, all memories from his past would be impaired.
Therefore, this case study increases the credibility of the idea that there is more than one type of LTM.

2. Real life application.
   Studies into different types of long-term memory are useful in improving cognition in individuals with cognitive impairment.
   Belleville et al found that when pps were given training on episodic memory strategies, they were able to perform significantly better on a test on episodic memory than a control group with no training.
   Therefore, research into different types of LTM has useful real life application in producing treatments to help those with memory problems.

Question 5

What is one limitation of types of LTM?

Answer 5

1. There is a disagreement between whether there are 2 types of long-term memory or 3.
   Researchers argue that semantic memory and episodic memory should be classed as one type of long-term memory as they are both located in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This means there are two types of LTM not 3.
   Therefore, it may be that there are 2 types of LTM: declarative - memories which need to be recalled consciously and non-declarative - memories that can be recalled unconsciously.

However there is evidence from case studies of alzheimer’s patients where individuals have their semantic memory but their episodic memory is impaired. This therefore suggests that they are 2 separate stores and so there are 3 types of LTM - procedural, episodic and semantic.