6B - Brain Regions Involved in Memory

Question 1

Types of LTM

Answer 1

explicit and implicit memory

Question 2

what is explicit memory

Question 3

what is implicit memory

Answer 3

memory retrieved without conscious effort

Question 4

what is explicit memory

Answer 4

conscious recollection of facts and events

Question 5

role of hippocampus

Answer 5

• primarily involved in encoding explicit (semantic and episodic) memories
• PROCESSES the information, TRANSFERS the information to the neocortex, and aids in the RETRIEVAL of explicit memories

Question 6

role of amygdala

Answer 6

• processing, regulating and retrieving emotional reactions particularly emotions such as fear and anger
• involved in ENCODING and aids in the RETRIEVAL of the enotional components of explicit and classically conditioned memories
• enhancing the strength of memory during encoding

Question 7

what part of the brain is responsible for flashbulb memories?

Answer 7

amygdala

Question 8

what is a flashbulb memory?

Answer 8

a vivid, highly detailed and long lasting memory of an event that is very surprising or emotionally arousing

Question 9

how does the amygdala contribute to flashbulb memories ?

Answer 9

it contributes to the formation and storage of long-term explicit memories. this is apparent in a specific type of episodic memory known as a flashbulb memory

Question 10

what happens to people with damage to their amygala?

Answer 10

unable to aquire a conditioned fear response

Question 11

what is the neocortex?

Answer 11

the largest (outer/top layer) part of the cerebral cortex

Question 12

what is the neocortec involved in?

Answer 12

• long-term storage of explicit memories (episodic and semantic) as well as coordinating the RETRIEVAL of aspects of explicit memories
• once the hippocampus encodes explicit (semantic and episodic) memories, they are stored within the neocortex

Question 13

what is the basal ganglia involved in?

Answer 13

encoding of long-term implicit memories involving motor skills (procedural memories)

Question 14

what is the cerebellum involved in?

Answer 14

• coordinates timing and fluency of movements
• encodes and temporarily stores implicit procedural memories
• encodes and stores implicit memories of simple reflexes aquired through classical conditioning

Question 15

what happens if the cerebellum is damaged?

Answer 15

makes it diffcult to time and coordinate muscle control for everyday activities