3. Types of long-term memory

state 2 types of LTM

explicit (declarative) = knowing that

implicit (procedural) = knowing how

examples of explicit LTM

episodic

semantic

example of implicit LTM

procedural

describe episodic memory

storing information about events experienced

explicit/declarative

involves conscious thought

specific details of the event, the context, and the emotion

describe semantic memory

storing information about the world

explicit/declarative

e.g. knowledge about the meaning of words, general knowledge

describe procedural emmroy

knowing how to do something/skills

does not involve conscious thought/ is automatic

implicit

one strength is support from brain scans

episodic memory = hippocampus, other parts of temporal lobe, frontal lobe

semantic memory = temporal lobe

procedural memory = cerebellum, basal ganglia, limbic system

brain scans indicate that the three types of LTM are found in different parts of the brain = separate types of LTM

increases validity for explanation

one strength is support from case studies

HM = his ability to form new LTMs was affected by his damaged hippocampus, but he retained his pre-existing LTMs = could form new procedural memories but not episode/semantic memories

supports distinction between explicit and implicit memories = supports existence of multiple types of LTM

however, issues with case study support (non-generalisable, cannot establish cause and effect relationship with research support from brain-damaged patients)