Types of LTM Flashcards
What are the three types of LTM?
- episodic (personal experiences)
- semantic (general factual info)
- procedural (how to do things)
What is episodic memory?
a long term memory store for personal events.
Is episodic memory time stamped?
yes. usually identifiable by exact date or a vague approximation of when the event occurred.
Is episodic memory explicit or implicit?
It is explicit, and is recalled consciously.
Is episodic memory declarative?
Yes, as it can be put into words.
Is episodic memory autobiographical?
Yes, as it is a memory of personal events, so you are there when it happened.
What is semantic memory?
a long term store for our knowledge of the world.
Is semantic memory time stamped?
No, not usually.
Is semantic memory explicit or implicit?
Retrieval of information is carried out explicitly, on a conscious level.
Is semantic memory declarative?
Yes, as it can be put into words.
Is semantic memory autobiographical?
No, as it is memory of knowledge/facts, not things that have happened/events that you were involved with.
What is procedural memory?
a long term store for our knowledge of how to do things.
Is procedural memory time stamped?
no, not usually.
Is procedural memory explicit or implicit?
implicit. you don’t usually require conscious recall to complete/perform tasks.
Is procedural memory declarative?
Non-declarative, as it is based on performance, not recall, so can’t easily be put into words.
Is procedural memory autobiographical?
Usually yes, because you usually recall yourself doing that thing previously in order to remember how to do it.
How does the case study of Henry Molaison support the theory of different types of LTM?
After having his hippocampus removed during an operation, he knew how to walk (procedural), could explain what a dog was (semantic), but could not recall stroking a dog 30 minutes ago (episodic). This shows that there are different types of LTM in different parts of the brain.
How does the case study of Clive Wearing support the theory of different types of LTM?
He was a world class musician who had a viral infection which damaged his hippocampus. He could still play piano (procedural), and understand the meanings of words (semantic), but he couldn’t remember his musical education or the last time he saw his wife (episodic). This shows that there are different types of LTM in different parts of the brain.
