Types Of Long-Term Memory Flashcards
What are the 3 types of LTM
- episodic
- semantic
- procedural
What is episodic memory
-> memory for special events
-> contains:
+ specific details of the event
+ how you felt during the event
- the context of the event
Where is episodic memory stored
In the hippocampus
What is semantic memory
Memory for facts & general knowledge e.g basic maths, capital cities etc
-> can also relate to things such as functions of an object + what behaviour is appropriate etc
What do semantic memories begin as
Episodic memories (as we acquire knowledge based on personal experiences), and as memory loses its association to particular events & becomes generalised, it becomes semantic
Where are semantic memories stored
In the temporal lobe
What is procedural memory (muscle memory)
- to do w motor skills & actions (e.g. tying shoelaces, how to drive etc)
-> typically acquired through practice and repetition, and more resistant to forgetting / amnesia
Why are we less aware of procedural memories
-> they become automatic
-> therefore, they are unavailable for
conscious inspection (unlike the others)
-> as a result, we can focus our attention on other tasks while performing everyday skills
Where are procedural memories stored
In the cerebellum
AO3 Point 1 amnesia patients evidence
Evidence for the distinction between episodic/semantic and procedural memory has come from research on patients with amnesia. Typically patients with amnesia are unable to store new episodic or semantic memories but their procedural memory appears to be largely unaffected.
Point 2 AO3 - evidence from brain scans (different memory = different parts)
Scientific evidence captured from brain scans supports the view that there are different types of LTM. For example, when asking participants to recall different types of information, different areas of the brain are shown to be active on an fMRI. Episodic memories are associated with the hippocampus, semantic memories are associated with the temporal lobe and procedural memories are associated with the cerebellum.
AO3 point 3 - Clive Wearing evidence
Case studies of brain damaged patients offer support for the different types of LTM. For example, Clive Wearing is a man who suffered from a viral infection which damaged his hippocampus. He has no episodic memory and cannot form new semantic memories. However, his procedural memory is intact (e.g. he can still play the piano).
AO3 point 4 - case studies can’t be generalised
Research into the different types of LTM have typically been conducted on individual patients (e.g. Clive Wearing and HM). Case studies are highly detailed and provide a lot of information but are isolated cases of one individual. It would be inappropriate to assume that everyone’s’ LTM is formed in the same way. The findings cannot be generalised to the wider population.
AO3 point 5 - gender differences (Herlitz et al 1997)
There is evidence of gender differences in LTMs suggesting that research on types of LTMs cannot be generalized to all and needs to be treated with caution. Herlitz et al (1997) assessed LTM abilities in 1,000 Swedish participants and found that females consistently performed better on tasks requiring episodic LTM, although there were no gender differences in semantic LTM ability. This further supports the idea that semantic and episodic memories are different. It has been suggested women may have stronger episodic memories due to their higher verbal abilities.
AO3 point 6 - Real life application (Belleville 2006 - specific treatments)
Can be used in real life applications – as being able to identify different LTM stores has positive applications. Knowing episodic- is a distinct store means it can be targeted in people with specific episodic memory difficulties. Belleville (2006) - showed that it is possible to improve episodic memories in elderly with impairments. This highlights the benefit of distinguishing between different types of LTM- it allows specific treatments to be developed.
