Types Of LTM Flashcards
An important implication of Tulving’s theory = it’s challenge to the MSM
E - MSM posits that LTM represents a unitary memory store
E - Tulving = 1st psychologists to challenge this simplistic depiction of LTM as his theory proposes it’s actually a tripartite system. However, T theory doesn’t challenge the entirety of MSM & therefore his contribution can be seen as an elaboration of a previous theory > a complete rejection of MSM
L - Therefore T theory has made an important contribution to our understanding of memory by developing a more sophisticated theoretical model of memory
Case studies of patients w/ amnesia provide support for the division between episodic and procedural memory
E - E.g patient HM showed steady improvement on ability to solve a maze problem he was shown each day, despite him having a severe form of anterograde amnesia which stopped him remembering having completed the maze problem on the previous day
E - HM’s inability to remember the previous day’s attempt at the maze = evidence his episodic memory = damage. However his improvement ability to solve the maze problem suggests his procedural memory of how to complete maze still working. Support T’s theory as there were only one type of LTM we would expect damage to LTM to affect all aspects of LTM. The fact that one memory store can be damaged + the other remain functional provides support for the separation of procedural + episodic memories just as T claimed. However this support evidence = limited as it relies on a single case. HM was 1 person with a unique brain injury so we can’t assume he’s representative of the broader population =ing generalising from his specific memory copiabilities to how LTM work in general is problematic
L - Therefore this study provides support for the theory that there are types of LTM but limitations with this study’s population validity undermines the strength of his support
Tulving’s account of semantic + episodic memory may be incorrect
E - According to Cohen & Squires (1980) LTM should be understood as 2 separate systems: declarative memory + non-declarative
E - Challenges T’s theory of LTM as, originally, T proposed episodic + semantic memory were separate memory systems. However both episodic & semantic memories = declarative + therefore according to C&S they’re part of the same declarative system meaning T was wrong to separate episodic and semantic memories. However C&S did accept T’s claim that procedural memory (non-declarative) is separate =ing T’s theory wasn’t completely wrong
L - Ultimately there are reasons to doubt T’s claim that episodic + semantic memories are entirely distinct types of LTM but psychology hasn’t reached a firm conclusion on whether his theory is incorrect
One strength of types of LTM is that there’s evidence from cognitive neuroscience in support of it
E - Using brain-scanning technique called PET, T (1994) found patients accessing semantic memories showed activity in the left prefrontal cortex, but when accessing episodic memories they showed increased activity in their right prefrontal cortex
E - Finding provides compelling evidence for T’s theory that there are distinct types of long term-memory, as why else would they have separate locations in the brain? Also provides evidence for a distinction between 2 types of LTM that are seen as quite similar ( both declarative + under conscious control) so this helps evidence of 3 types of LTM > just 2 (declarative vs non). Since this evidence comes from cognitive neuroscience, involves objective techniques for analysing the brain, adds credibility of finding and therefore strengthens this supporting evidence for the existence of different types of LTM
L - Therefore T’s evidence provides strong support for his claim that episodic + semantic memories = separate
