Types of LTM

Question 1

What is Semantic Memory?

Answer 1

• LTMs of our knowledge of the world, likened to a combination of a dictionary and an encyclopedia
• Not time stamped, more complex than just ‘facts’

Question 2

What is Procedural Memory?

Answer 2

• LTMs of skilled behaviors such as driving a car
• Trying to explain them may make task more difficult

Question 3

What is Episodic Memory?

Answer 3

• LTMs of events/experiences in our lives, likened to a diary
• Time stamped, have to be consciously recalled

Question 4

What Research supports the idea of multiple LTM stores?

Answer 4

• Evidence from case study of Clive Wearing. Memory impaired due to brain damage, unable to recall events from his life (episodic memory) and yet able to perform tasks (piano) and semantic memories were also relatively unaffected.
• Supports view that there are multiple LTM stores

Question 5

What Conflicting research limits the credibility of LTM?

Answer 5

• Conflicting research findings linking types of LTM to areas of the brain. Buckner and Peterson concluded semantic memory is located in the left side of the prefrontal cortex. However, other research links left prefrontal cortex with episodic retrieval. Challenges supporting evidence to support types of memory as there is poor agreement on where each might be located

Question 6

How does knowledge of LTM help in the real-world?

Answer 6

• Allows psychologists to help people with memory problems. Memory loss in the old seems specific to episodic memory.
• Sylvie Belleville (2006) devised an intervention to improve episodic memory in older people. Trained pps performed better on a test of episodic memory after training than a control group
• Distinguishing between the different stores enables specific treatments to be developed