W7L1 - Cognitive Theories of Memory

Question 1

Does implicit memory = procedural memory?

Does explicit memory = declarative memory?

Which one is more meaningful in study of amnesia?

Answer 1

Implicit/Explicit Memory

• Set of memory tasks
• Do not measure cognitive theory

Procedural/Declarative Memory

• Derived from dissociable cognitive theories
• Tests developed to test these theories
• More useful in studies of amnesia

Question 2

What is procedural memory and what is it supported by

Answer 2

• Storage of skills and procedures
  
  • Important for motor performance
• Supported by memory systems independent of hippocampal formation (Rmb: HM)

Question 3

What is declarative memory and what is it supported by. What does activation of declaraive memory lead to?

Answer 3

• Accumulation of facts from learning experiences
• Various processing systems (which feed hippocampal formation - due to relational nature of hippocampal formation, declarative memory is relational)
• Activation of declarative memory
  
  • Activation of related memories
  • Independent of Environment

Question 4

What are the 4 models of memory

Answer 4

Serial (More Relevant to Amnesia Study)

1. ) Atkinson-Shiffrin Model
2. ) Levels of Processing Model
3. ) Tulving’s Model

Parallel

4.) Parallel Distributed Processing Model

Question 5

1.) Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

Answer 5

Incoming Info

↓

Sensory Memory (Info not attended: Lost)

↓ [Attention]

STM/Working Memory (Info not rehearsed: Forgot)

[Retrieval] ↑ ↓ [Encoding and Rehearsal]

LTM (Info not retrieved: Forget)

Question 6

2.) Levels of Processing Model

Answer 6

Information retained based on level of processing it has undergone

• Shallow-Deep Continuum
  
  • Shallow = Fragile Traces (Akin to STM)
  • Deep = Retained More (Akin to LTM)
• Maintainance vs. Elaborative rehearsal
  
  • Maintainance = Allows more shallow processing
  • Elaborative = Allows more deep processing

Question 7

3.) Tulving’s Model

Answer 7

• Same template as Atkinson-Shiffrin Model (STM-LTM)
• Model’s come out of people with memory problems and brain damage
• Breaks down LTM into:
  
  • Procedural
  • Declarative
    
    • Episodic
    • Semantic

Question 8

4.) Parallel Distributed Processing Model. How are memories activated and how is learning conducted

Answer 8

Memory

• Activation of connections in different areas (distribution) simultaneously (parallel)
• Each memory has an associated pattern of activation
• Learning = Changing strength of connection between relevant sites

Question 9

Is any model correct?

Answer 9

None of the models fully account for all research data in
isolation, all are accurate to an extent

Question 10

What is episodic memory: James

Answer 10

William James:

• The knowledge of an event, or fact, of which
  meantime we have not been thinking, with
  the additional consciousness that we have
  thought of or experienced it before

Question 11

What is episodic memory: Tulving

Answer 11

Episodic Memory

• Episodic memory refers to ‘a memory system that makes possible mental “time travel” through subjective time, from the present to the past and to the future, a feat that other memory systems cannot perform
• Allowing re-experience, through autonoetic awareness, previous experiences and to project similar experiences into the future
  • Autonoetic awareness = highly personalized feeling of (re)experiencing oneself in the autobiographical past or present

Question 12

Tulving’s conceptualisation of episodic memory in extension of atkinson. What does the operation of episodic system depend on and not dependent on.

Answer 12

Episodic

• Depend on semantic and other forms of memory
• Shares neural mechanisms and cognitive processes with other systems

BUT

• Unique specific mechanisms/processes not component of any other system

Question 13

What are properties of semantic memory. What is it not concerned with?

Answer 13

Semanic Memory

• Knowledge Memory
  
  • Acquisition, retention, and use of factual information in the broadest sense
• Not purely concerned with language, verbal information, and no autonoetic awareness
  
  • e.g. moon is round, but we don’t remember the encoding of that fact

Question 14

How independent is Semantic-Episode based on Squire and Zola. What is it dependent on and what is their evidence?

Answer 14

• Entirely parallel within delcarative memory = No dissociation
• Both depends on the hippocampal system
  
  • Damage to hippocampal system = Equal impairment of episodic and semantic
    
    • Evidence: Amnesic patients have equal difficulties with ‘event’ and ‘fact’ memory (HM)

Question 15

How independent is Semantic-Episode based on Tulving.

What is the SPI Hypothesis: (1) Encoding into episodic (2) Encoding into semantic (3) Relationship between episodic and semantic (4) Retrieval.

Answer 15

Share many features but are not parallel systems

• Encoding into episodic memory relies on semantic
  system
• Encoding into semantic memory relies on
  semantic system
  
  • BUT Episodic Memory is a ‘unique’ extension of
    semantic memory
• Retrieval is independent, can be supported by
  either system or both

Question 16

Dissociation/Double dissociation in Tulving’s Model

Answer 16

Encoding

• Single Dissociation
  
  • Semantic: Affects both semantic and episodic
  • Episodic: Affects episodic but does not affect semantic

Retrieval

• Double Dissociation
  
  • Semantic and Episodic: Retrieval is independent

Question 17

Vargha-Khadem et al. 1997 Overview of the kids what kind of impariments do they have

Answer 17

• Bilateral MTL injury
  
  • Abnormally small bilateral hippocampi
  • Impaired memory
    
    • Could not find their way home
    • Severe amnesia
• Relatively intact extra-hippocampal temporal lobe
  
  • Intact intellect

Question 18

Vargha-Khadem et al. 1997 Results. What does it tell us about episodic memory.

Answer 18

Results fit into SPI Model

• Impaired memory function (impaired episodic)
  
  • Assessed with clinical tests of episodic memory
• Intact intellectual capacity (OK semantic)
  
  • Acquire impairment before encoding semantic information (going to school)
    
    • Demonstrate a single dissociation in encoding (Key Finding)
• Episodic relies on hippocampal circuit

Question 19

Episodic – Semantic dissociation. What is it meaningful and unclear?

Answer 19

Meaningful:

• Closest heuristic framework to understand patient populations who differ in episodic and semantic memory ability

Unclear:

• Interaction between these systems occurs, but it is not yet well understood
  
  • Some individuals with semantic dementia have impaired semantic and intact episodic
    
    • Hence, SPI cannot be correct as there is evidence of double dissociation of encoding