DTP 6 Episodic and Semantic Memory

Question 1

Semantic Memory

Answer 1

Organized factual knowledge you have about the outside world

Eg. Main ingredient of omlette

Question 2

Episodic Memory

Answer 2

Memories of distinct personal events that are associated with time place

Question 3

Why is it easier to forget episodic memory than semantic?

Answer 3

New info is constantly pouring into episodic memory, making it difficult to attend to and encode and store each new memory of a personal event

Question 4

Episodic and Semantic Memory Interactions

Answer 4

Interact to retrieve past events (retrospective) and imagine future events (prospective)

Question 5

EC + SC =

Answer 5

Episodic components + Semantic components = Autobiographical Memory

Question 6

Autobiographical memory

Answer 6

Memory system consisting of episodes recalled from person’s life based on a mix of episodic and semantic memory

Question 7

Autobiographical Memory type

Answer 7

explicit

Question 8

Sense of self

Answer 8

> Links past events to a personal history
Relates self through P/P/F
forms life story (narrative)

Question 9

Functions of Autobiographical memories (sense of self)

Answer 9

1. supports our general sense of self and identity
2. Includes abstract reps of characteristics
3. General knowledge abt periods/events in our life
4. Memories of specific events

Question 10

Reconstruction of Autobiographical memory

Answer 10

Combine stored info with other info to form more coherent, complete and accurate memory

Question 11

Constructing possible imagined future

Answer 11

Episodic + semantic memory encompasses our ability to imagine and envision possible future scenarios + retrieve memories from personal past

Question 12

Future Orientated thoughts

Answer 12

Abstract + non personal

Specific + non personal

Abstract + personal

Specific + personal

Question 13

Construction Process

Answer 13

Episodic future thinking involves active construction of events that have not occurred, but based on past events and knowledge

Question 13

Episodic Future thinking

Answer 13

Mental time travel

Projecting yourself forward to pre-experience future events

Question 14

Eg. Imagining going to paris

Answer 14

Semantic memories- context of imagined event

> location. language

Episodic memories- specific details of what might occur

> What you’ll do, who’ll you’ll meet

Question 15

Mental Imagery

Answer 15

Spatial and Object imagery

Question 16

Spatial imagery

Answer 16

Ability to imagine relationships between objects and parts of an object and their movement in 3D space

Question 17

Object Imagery

Answer 17

Ability to picture shape color texture of objects as well as people faces animals and scenes

Question 18

Aphantasia

Answer 18

Unable to visualize imagery and cannot experience mental images

But they can describe objects facts and explain concepts

Question 19

How does Aphantasia affect everyday life

Answer 19

> trouble remembering everyday things
struggle to remember autobiographical events
Difficulty imagining future
Problems with factual memory
Trouble recognizing faces
Decreased imagery involving other sense

Question 20

Alzheimer’s

Answer 20

a neurodegenerative disease (dementia) characterized by the progressive deterioration of brain neurons

Question 20

Effects of Alzheimer’s

Answer 20

Memory loss, decline in cognitive/social skills and personality changes

Initially impaired explicit memory + eventually severe decline of both implicit and explicit

Question 21

What can diagnose Alzheimer’s

Answer 21

No direct way. Brain scans can assist diagnosis (CT and MRI)

Question 21

Middle Stage 2-10 years

Answer 21

> Experiences delusions/compulsions or repetitive behavior

> restlessness agitation and anxiety
bladder bowel function issues
Trouble learning new things
problems with reading writing
loses track of time and surroundings

Question 21

Symptoms of Alzheimer's

Answer 21

>Gradual severe memory loss >impaired attention >Loss/confusion >disordered thinking >personality changes >decline in social skills

Question 21

Early stage of Alzheimer's 2-4 yrs

Answer 21

>trouble organizing/planning >Trouble managing money >Forgets event events, names, details about identity and dates >trouble with challenging tasks >Lost in familiar places

Question 22

Late stage 1-3 years

Answer 22

>significant personality/behavior changes >Loses ability to hold convo >Difficulty eating swallowing >loses bladder and bowel control >lacks awareness of recent activities_ surroundings >cannot remember family members or loved ones

Question 22

Changes in brain characterised by Alzheimers

Answer 22

Amyloid Plaque Neurofibrillary tangle Brain atrophy

Question 23

Amyloid plaque

Answer 23

Abnormal build up of beta-amyloid proteins between synapses of neurons that intefere with communication

Question 23

Neurofibrillary tangle

Answer 23

abnormal build up of protein inside a neuron that is associated with cell death

Question 23

Brain atrophy

Answer 23

Loss of neurons within the brain

Question 24

Anterograde amnesia

Answer 24

new explicit memories cannot be encoded and consolidated resulting in anterograde amnesia. The inability to form new episodic/semantic memories

Question 25

Retrograde Amnesia

Answer 25

Loss of neurons spreads to cerebral cortex resulting in loss of stored explicit long term memories as well as problems with attention and changes to personality and emotions Inability to retrieve previously stored episodic and semantic memories

Question 26

Alzheimer's stages

Answer 26

Hippocampus is first affected by brain atrophy. 3/4 neurons die and rest are damaged. Loss of neurons spreads to cerebral cortex resulting in loss of stored explicit long term memories Damage to neurons extends to rear of cortex (hindbrain) which regulates automatic functions (breathing/heart rate) Death occurs during this stage