Types of Long Term Memory

Question 1

What are the three types of long-term memory according to Tulving (1985)?

Answer 1

Episodic memory, semantic memory, and procedural memory.

Question 2

What is semantic memory?

Answer 2

A type of long-term memory for knowledge of the world, including facts and meanings of words and concepts. It is not time-stamped and is consciously recalled.

Question 3

What is procedural memory?

Answer 3

A type of long-term memory for how to perform actions or skills, such as riding a bike or driving. It is recalled automatically, without conscious effort.

Question 4

How did Clive Wearing’s case support the idea of different types of LTM?

Answer 4

He had impaired episodic memory but intact semantic and procedural memories, showing these types are stored separately.

Question 5

What did Tulving et al. (1994) find using PET scans about LTM?

Answer 5

Episodic memories are recalled from the right prefrontal cortex and semantic from the left, supporting the idea that different types of LTM are stored in different areas of the brain.

Question 6

What is one real-life application of understanding types of LTM?

Answer 6

Belleville et al. (2006) showed episodic memory could be improved in older people with mild cognitive impairment, showing targeted treatments are possible.

Question 7

What is episodic memory?

Answer 7

A type of long-term memory for personal events, including when and where they happened, and the people, objects, and behaviours involved. It is time-stamped and requires conscious effort to recall.

Question 8

What’s a limitation of clinical evidence in memory research?

Answer 8

Case studies like HM and Clive Wearing lack control over variables, so it’s hard to generalise findings to everyone.

Question 9

What criticism did Cohen and Squire (1980) make of Tulving’s theory?

Answer 9

They argued there are only two types of LTM: declarative (episodic + semantic) and non-declarative (procedural).

Question 10

What is the difference between semantic and episodic memory?

Answer 10

Episodic memories are time-stamped and personal, while semantic memories are general knowledge and not linked to time.

Question 11

How would you test each type of LTM in someone like Clive Wearing?

Answer 11

• Episodic: Ask about personal life events.
• Semantic: Test knowledge of word meanings or facts.
• Procedural: Observe performance on tasks like playing the piano or tying shoelaces.