20 Memory II

Question 1

Name a GENE that is associated with memory

Answer 1

BDNF

Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor

Question 2

What are the 2 BDNF alleles?
Which gives WORSE memory?
What type of memory is worsened?

Answer 2

Val = normal
Met = worse EPISODIC memory (“remembering” - diary)

Question 3

3 mnemonic techniques to help memory

Answer 3

1. Method of Loci
2. Rhymes
3. Pegwords

Question 4

WHY is the Method of Loci particularly efficient for humans?

Answer 4

Utilises our already well-developed + STRUCTURED idea of SPACE

Question 5

What are PEGWORDS?

Answer 5

Attach an IMAGE to each item on a list

Question 6

Explicit and Implicit memories are AKA?

Answer 6

Explicit = “Declarative” memory
Implicit = “NON-declarative” memory

Question 7

Difference between EXPLICIT vs IMPLICIT memories?

Answer 7

Explicit
= accessible to consciousness
= can have RETRIEVAL problems

Implicit
= NOT accessible to consciousness

Question 8

Give 4 examples of IMPLICIT memory at work

Answer 8

• Classical conditioning = linking US + CS
• Habits = done regularly WITHOUT conscious thought
• Semantic priming = respond FASTER if exposed to related word
• Skills = high level of AUTOMATICITY

Question 9

2 types of memory PROCESSING

Answer 9

Controlled vs Automatic

Question 10

Compare CONTROLLED vs AUTOMATIC processing

Answer 10

Controlled
=required ATTENTION
=SERIAL processing (one at a time)
=EASILY disrupted

Automatic
=NO ATTENTION required
=PARALLEL processing
=NOT as easily disrupted

Question 11

How can controlled processing BECOME automatic processing?

Answer 11

Becomes automatic with continued PRACTICE

Question 12

Compare SEMANTIC vs EPISODIC memory

Answer 12

Semantic (“KNOWING”)
=like dictionary/Google
=LARGE storage, ROBUST
=long-lasting

Episodic (“REMEMBERING”)
=like a DIARY, based on PERSONAL experiences
=FRAGILE storage

Question 13

What is a LIMITATION of episodic memory

Answer 13

Memories can be CONSTRUCTED + INACCURATE

Question 14

Episodic memory is part of an “______” memory

Answer 14

Autobiographical

Question 15

Episodic memory contributes to our …

Answer 15

SELF-understanding

Question 16

At what AGE does episodic memory form?

Answer 16

Not formed until 3-4 years

Question 17

Why is episodic memory often UNRELIABLE

Answer 17

• SELECTIVE memory

* can be partially CONSTRUCTED

Question 18

Unreliable episodic memory creates what real-world problem?

Answer 18

Eyewitness Testimony

Question 19

What BRAIN AREA is responsible for episodic memory?

Answer 19

Hippocampus

Question 20

LOCATION of the hippocampus

Answer 20

Medial TEMPORAL love (lock of hair behind ears)

Question 21

2 patients with HIPPOCAMPAL DMG

Answer 21

Clive Wearing
Henry Molaison (HM)

Question 22

Describe Clive Wearing’s case

Answer 22

*HERPES destroyed hippocampus
*Normal semantic (knowing) + Implicit memory
*Can’t imagine future
*Lives in NARROW WINDOW of time
=SHORT memory span

Question 23

Describe HM’s case

Answer 23

*Hippocampus removed due to EPILEPSY
*Most memory + skill learning normal
*NO autobiographical (episodic) memory
= FOREVER in the PRESENT

Question 24

2 types of Amnesia

Define both

Answer 24

Retrograde - can’t remember PAST

Anterograde - can’t FORM memories of PRESENT

Question 25

Hippocampus does WHAT to memories?

Answer 25

Consolidation = “laying down” memory

Question 26

REPLAYING past memories adds to consolidation, but has what LIMITATION

Answer 26

May DISTORT memory with lots of replaying

Question 27

What does EMOTION generally do to memory?

Answer 27

ENHANCE memory (more VIVID)