Types of long-term memory

Who proposed that LTM has three distinct types?

Tulving

What is declarative memory?

the type of long-term memory you can consciously recall and describe in words - focuses on facts, data and events

What are the 3 types of LTM?

episodic, semantic and procedural

What is episodic memory?

our ability to recall events/ experiences that have happened in our lives - declarative, we must make a conscious effort to recall the memories

Is episodic memory time-stamped?

yes i,e we can remember when they happened

Which brain areas are involved in episodic memory?

Hippocampus

What is semantic memory?

our knowledge of the world such as facts, meanings and general knowledge (less personal) - declarative

Is semantic memory time-stamped?

no, we don’t usually remember when we first learnt about Justin Bieber e.g

Which brain area is linked to semantic memory?

Temporal lobe

What is procedural memory?

our memory for actions or skills, basically how we do things. We can recall these memories without conscious awareness or a great deal of effort - non-declarative

Is procedural memory time-stamped?

no, i.e we can’t remember when they happened

Which brain area is most associated with procedural memory?

The cerebellum

Give an example of a procedural memory.

Riding a bike / typing / swimming (any skill)

Who is Clive Wearing?

a musician who suffered amnesia

How did Clive Wearing get amnesia?

a virus attacked his nervous system

What is the result of Clive’s amnesia?

• he can’t remember the names of his children but can still play the piano and conduct a choir

• every 20-30 seconds his memory resets

Which memory type remained intact in Clive Wearing?

Procedural memory (e.g., playing piano, conducting)

How does Clive Wearing’s case study support the types of long term memory?

Clive Wearing supports the idea of different types of LTM because his procedural memory remained intact - he could still play piano - while his episodic memory was severely damaged. This shows that different types of LTM must rely on different brain systems.

How is the fact that Tulving’s view of there being 3 types of LTM is supported by case study evidence a strength? (+counter/development)

as it clearly provides support for there being distinct types of LTM as it shows that some LTM stores can be damaged, whilst others remain unaffected.

C: however, despite this evidence showing support, it can’t be generalised as it lacks population validity and so is idiographic

Give an example of this strength

for example, Clive Wearing had very damaged long-term (episodic) memory but his procedural memory was still intact — he could still play piano and conduct a choir yet he couldn’t remember the names of his children

How is the fact that Tulving’s view of there being multiple types of LTM has helped psychologists support people with memory problems?

as it has real life application, enabling specific treatments to be developed. This benefits families and society

Give an example of this strength

for instance, as people age they experience memory loss, but research has shown this seems to be specific to episodic - it becomes harder to recall memories of personal events that occurred relatively recently though past episodic memories remain intact. Bellevile devised an intervention to improve episodic memories in older people

How is it a limitation that there are conflicting research findings linking types of LTM to areas of the brain?

as it causes Tulving’s 3 types of LTM to lack reliability

Give an example of this limitation

for example, Buckner and Petersen concluded that semantic memory is located in the left side of the prefrontal cortex and episodic memory on the right. However, Tulving’s research links the left of the prefrontal cortex with episodic memory and the right with semantic memory

How is the fact that whilst Tulving argues that there are 3 types of LTM, other researchers argue otherwise a weakness?

as Cohen and Squire’s view ultimately reduces the validity/reliability of Tulving’s ideas

Give an example of this weakness

for instance, Cohen and Squire disagree and argue that episodic and semantic memory are too similar to be classed as separate stores, causing Tulving to adjust and change his ideas in 2002