Types of LTM Flashcards
what are the two main sub-divisions of LTM?
implicit (non-declarative, not easy to express in words, don’t require conscious thought to be recalled)
explicit (declarative, easily put into words, require conscious thought to be recalled, often formed from several combined memories)
what are the three types of LTM? are they each explicit or implicit?
-Episodic memory (explicit)
-Semantic memory (explicit)
-Procedural memory (implicit)
what is episodic long term memory?
-first suggested by Tulving 1972
-autobiographical record of personal experiences
-strength is influenced by the emotions present at the time the memory was coded, as well as the degree of processing of info at coding
-thought that it helps distinguish between real and delusion
brain areas associated with episodic memory?
-prefrontal cortex associated with the initial coding
-neocortex for consolidation and storage
-memories of the different parts of an event (Eg sight vs sound) are located in different areas of the brain, but are connected by the hippocampus to create a memory
research on episodic memory
-Tulving 1989 - 6 injected with radioactive gold, location found with a gamma ray detector, 8 80 second trials, 4 episodic 4 semantic, greater activation in frontal lobes when thinking episodic, posterior cortex region for semantic
evaluate episodic memory
-extent of difference between episodic and semantic is unclear; different brain areas are involved but there’s significant overlap
-could be that they differ in the sense that episodic memories are associated with conscious awareness of events and emotional feelings related, while semantic is objective analysis of phenomena
what is semantic memory?
-contains all knowledge an individual has learned
-strength is positively associated with the degree of processing during coding, but they generally seem to be better sustained than episodic
-over time there is a gradual move from episodic to semantic memory, as the knowledge becomes increasingly divorced from the event it was learnt from
what brain areas are associated with semantic memory?
-disagreement
-some evidence suggests the involvement of the hippocampus and related areas
-others believe there’s use of several areas
-coding is mainly associated with the frontal and temporal lobes
research on semantic memory
Kroenig 2007 - created 64 drawings of ‘crutters’ (animals that shared 3 features), alzheimer sufferers vs non sufferers had to decide which were crutters, had to use either direct comparison or based on stated rules, alzheimers were as good in direct comparison, but worse with stated rules as it uses a higher level of processing
evaluate semantic memory
-rather than being a single form of memory ability, it may be a network of associated links in different brain areas. some links may be stronger than others/quicker to access, explaining why some are easier to recall
-damage in different areas can affect semantic memory, supporting the idea that semantic memory abilities are spread through brain structures, as well as the idea that it may have several interrelated memory abilities
what is procedural memory?
-allows people to perform tasks without conscious thought
-non-declarative (difficult to explain)
-motor skills as well as language skills
-doesn’t require conscious thought so allows people to simultaneously perform other cognitive tasks that require attention
brain areas associated with procedural memory?
-neocortex brain areas of the primary motor cortex, the cerebellum, and the prefrontal cortex
-doesn’t need the hippocampus to function
research on procedural memory
-Finke et al 2012 - 68y/o cellist, had damage in several brain areas, affecting episodic and semantic memory, he couldn’t remember musica facts, but his ability to read and play music was unaffected
evaluate procedural memory
-problem in deciding what brain areas are involved is the relative lack of research, need case studies of people with brain damage that ONLY affects procedural memory, which is rare
-procedural memories generally take longer to learn than others, maybe because it involved motor functions and spatial abilities, which explicit memories don’t
