Types of long term memory Flashcards
what is semantic memory?
knowledge about words, concepts, and language-based knowledge and facts. a type of explicit memory and not time-stamped. According to Tulving, semantic memory is not vulnerable to distortion.
what is episodic memory?
information about events we have personally experienced (birthdays.) a type of explicit memory. are time-stamped and have to use a conscious effort to recall these types of memories.w
what is procedural memory?
the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of practice, or “knowing how” to do things.
what is declarative memory?
allows us to consciously recollect events and facts.
what is non-declarative memory?
It deals with skills or habits; memories that are unconsciously/involuntarily remembered.
which type of memory is non-declarative?
procedural.
evidence for different types of long-term memory?
Heindel et al (1988) investigated learning in people with Huntingtons disease. They found that HD patients had no problem learning new facts/knowledge, but had severe problems when learning new motor skills.
more evidence for different types of long-term memory?
Tulving (1989) performed brain scans on six volunteers and found that when participants were using their episodic memory, part of the front cortex was active, compared to when the participants were using their semantic memory when the back cortex was active.
another study/evidence for different types of long-term memory?
Rosenbaum et al (2005) K.C had a motorbike accident which left him with widespread brain damage. Most of his general knowledge of the world was intact but he was incapable of recollecting any personal events. (episodic amnesia)
evidence for procedural memory?
Clive wearing could read and play very complex pieces of music on a piano, proving that procedural memory is separate from semantic and episodic.
counterpoint for studying people with brain injuries?
It can help researchers to understand how memory is supposed to work normally, but they lack control of variables. For example, they had no way of controlling what happened to the participant before or during the brain injury. This limits what clinicians can tell us about different types of LTM.
neuroimaging evidence?
Tulving (1994) got their participants to perform various memory tasks whilst their brains were scanned using a PET scanner. They found that the episodic and semantic memories were both recalled from the prefrontal cortex (left for semantic) (right for episodic)
real life application?
Belleville et al (2006) demonstrated that episodic memories can be improved in older people who have mild cognitive impairment. The trained participants performed better on a test of episodic memory after training than a control group. This type of memory is most affected by mild cognitive impairment. helps specific treatments to be developed.
