Ch.6 Long Term Memory

What is long-term memory?

• store everything that you can remember that happened 30s ago or longer

What are the processes in long-term memory?

1. encoding/acquisition

2. storage/retention

3. retrieval

LTM Process - encoding/acquisition

• the process where new information is attended and linked to existing information in memory

Stimuli: pictures, words, stories

LTM Process - storage/retention

• the mechanisms and sites by which memory is retained over time

LTM Process - retrieval

• when information is recalled

Free recall and cued recall (recall with some hint)

STM and LTM - serial position curve

1. recency effect

   • memory better for stimuli presented at end of list

2. primacy effect

   • memory better for stimuli presented at the beginning of list

LTM - Encoding

• Maintenance rehearsal

  • the repetition of information to keep it active in your STM

• Elaborative rehearsal

  • associate new information to existing knowledge

LTM Encoding - levels of processing

• shallow to deep continuum

• repeating is not helpful

• memory is better with deeper processing

LTM Encoding - levels of processing

(Hyde and Jenkins)

shallow could be considered shape of a letter, noun or adjective

deep could be considered how amiliar or common the word is, or if it is emotionally arousing

What is the deepest type of process?

Self-referential processing

• the use of a personal framework leading to a richer semantic code

What are the two types of explicit memory

1. episodic

2. semantic

What is episodic memory?

• memory for specific past personal events

• what, where, when

Example: a day you went to the beach

What is semantic memory?

• general knowledge of facts or concepts that is not linked to a particular time or place

Example: known knowledge, knowing what the capital of France

Semantic memory - noetic consciousness

• seeing someone on a bus and you’re like omg I know this guy

In the brain - episodic and semantic

• activate different areas of the brain

Episodic is at the prefrontal cortex and the medial temporal and parietal lobe

Semantic is at the lateral and anterior temporal lobe

episodic details are more likely to be lost

(Levine)

What is autobiographical memory?

• a mix of episodic and semantic memories

• in other words, personal semantic memories that hold significance

Example: a specific event that ties into your personal life story (your 10th birthday)

Who analyzed autobiographical memory?

• Levine

Memory and the future

Addis and Schacter: constructive episodic simulation hypothesis

• episodic memories help us anticipate future needs and guides our future behaviours

Addis and Schacter - Default Mode Network

• highly correlated with autobiographical and imagining the future