M: Types of long-term memory Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is one of the key criticisms of the multi-store model?
It is too simple because it describes both short-term memory (working memory) and long-term memory as unitary stores.
What did the working memory model explain?
How short-term memory can be sub - divided into sub-systems:
- the phonological loop for sounds
- visuo-spatial sketchpad for visual and spatial tasks
- and the divisions within these sub-systems.
What can the long-term memory be separated into?
- Episodic memory
- Semantic memory
- Procedural memory
KT: Episodic memory?
Personal memories of events, such as what you did yesturday or a teacher you liked. This kind of memory includes contextual details plus emotional tone.
KT: Procedural memory?
Memory of how to do things, for example riding a bicycle or learning how to read. Such memories are automatic as the result of repeated practise.
KT: Semantic memory?
Shared memories for facts and knowledge. These memories may be concrete, such as knowing that ice is made of water, or abstract, such as mathematical knowledge.
What are the two main types of long-term memory?
Explicit (or declarative) memory.
Implicit (or procedural) memory.
What is a way to remember what episodic memory is?
The term “episodic” comes from the word episode - an event or a group of events occurring as part of a larger sequence.
What is episodic memory concerned with and what will you recall?
- Its concerned with your personal experiences, (e.g. your recollection of your first day at school, a family holiday, playing with friends etc.)
- You may recall the time and place of such events as well as who was there.
- You may recall the context of surrounding the event such as what happened just before or after, or why you were there.
- You may also recall associated emotions that you felt at the time.
What three elements does the episodic memory have?
- Specific details of the events.
- The context.
- Emotion.
Give some examples of semantic memories.
People of a certain age go to school.
2 + 2 = 4
The capital of England is London.
What may semantic memories relate to?
Relate to things such as the functions of objects, may relate to what behaviour is appropriate, such as social customs, but also may relate to abstract concepts, such as mathematics and language.
What memories do semantic memories generally begin as?
Generally begin as episodic memories because we acquire knowledge based on personal experiences.
Semantic memories generally begin as episodic memories. How does the transition from episodic to semantic occur?
What do some people continue to have however?
- There is a gradual transition from episodic to sematic memory where the memory slowly loses its association to particular events, so that the information can be generalised as a semantic memory.
- A strong recollection of when and where they learned a particular fact.
What is procedural memory concerned with?
- Concerned with skills such as knowing how to tie a shoelace, knowing how to dive into a swimming pool or knowing how to read.
- It is about remembering how to do something rather than knowing the rules of what to do (knowing how to behave towards others is a semantic memory, as distinct from behaving nicely towards others which is procedural.)
How are procedural memories typically aquired?
What type of memory is it?
- Acquired through repetition and practise.
- Unlike episodic and semantic memory, this kind of memory is implicit.
Are you more or less aware of procedural memories and why?
We are less aware of these memories because they have become automatic.
What often happens when you think too much about procedural memories?
- It prevents you acting them out- try riding a bicycle while really thinking about what you are doing: you may lose your balance.
- This attention to the step-by step procedure disrupts the well-learned, automatic performance.
Why is it important that procedural memories are automatic?
So we can focus our attention on other tasks while performing these everyday skills.
Evaluation/ discussion.
Evidence from brain scans?
P: The distinction made between the three kinds of LTM is supported by brain scan research.
E: Episodic memory is associated with the hippocampus and other parts of the temporal lobe where hippocampus is located, as well as with activity in the frontal lobe. Semantic memory also relies on the temporal lobe.
E: Procedural memory activation is associated with the cerebellum, which is involved in the control of fine motor skills as well as the motor cortex. The basal ganglia and limbic system are also involved in this kind of learning.
L: Brain scans therefore indicate that the three types of memory are found in different parts of the brain and so are separate.
