Features Of Long Term Memory AO3

Question 1

❌Why is it difficult to say that long-term memory (LTM) is only coded semantically?

Answer 1

LTM may be coded in different ways. For example, smells and tastes may be coded differently, and songs are likely coded acoustically. This is supported by research showing different brain areas are involved in different types of LTM.

Question 2

✅What is a strength of Bahrick et al.’s (1975) study on LTM duration?

Answer 2

The study had high external validity because it used real-life, meaningful memories (yearbook photos), making the findings more generalizable to real-world memory.

Question 3

❌What is a limitation of Bahrick et al.’s (1975) study on LTM?

Answer 3

Confounding variables were not controlled, such as participants who may have recently viewed their yearbooks, which could have artificially improved their recall.

Question 4

❌Why might studies on memory lack external validity?

Answer 4

Research often uses artificial stimuli (e.g., Baddeley’s word lists), which lack mundane realism, meaning they may not accurately reflect how memory works in everyday life.