Memory - 1

Memory - def

process involved in retaining, retrieving, and using info. after the original info. is no longer present

There are many different

kinds of memory

Patient H.M.

• reason we discover these differences in memory types

• both side of medial temporal lobe were removed

• can no longer form new memories but his working memory is still working

Mirror-drawing task (patient H.M.)

he did a drawing tasks each day and keep improving but doesn’t remember that he did it

Memory types are based on 2 things

Duration and Content

Memory - duration

long-term and short-term

2 types of long-term memories

Declarative and Non-declarative

Another name of Declarative Memory is

Explicit Memory

Another name of Non-declarative Memory is

Implicit Memory

Declarative Memory (Explicit) - duration

last long: hours, days, years

Declarative Memory (Explicit) - content

Conscious memories, can explicitly recall events (I remember….)

Declarative Memory (Explicit) is the memory that H.M.

has problem with, he can’t form new explicit memories

Declarative Memory (Explicit) strongly associate with

medial temporal lobe

Non-declarative Memory (Implicit) is

unconsciously recalling things

EX of Non-declarative Memory (Implicit)

driving, writing, swimming

Non-declarative Memory (Implicit) is the memory that H.M.

Improves over time, his hands were storing info. but he didn’t consciously recall anything (cuz he can’t remember)

Another ex of Non-declarative Memory (Implicit) is

classical conditioning (dog doesn’t explicitly recall anything bc food unconditionally will make dog salivates)

2 subtypes of Declarative Memory (Explicit)

Episodic and Semantic

Episodic Memory is

Specific personal experience from a time and place (ex: I went to the beach that day, and hurt my foot by stepping on a piece of driftwood)

Semantic Memory is

Various kinds of knowledge that you learned (facts) [ex: when walking barefoot on the beach, it’s wise to watch what you step on]

The differences between episodic and semantic memory can be examines in

lesion patient and semanticization of memories theory

Lesion patient: K.C. (kent Cochrane) has intact

semantic memory, know facts that happened years ago (know brother died 2 years ago)

Lesion patient: K.C. (kent Cochrane) has affected

episodic memory, can’t describe the personal events (don’t remember how the funeral was)

Semanticization of memories theory

some evidence indicates that episodic memories gradually become semantic memories over time

EX: of Semanticization of memories theory

• Episodic memory: I went to the beach and stepped on driftwood. Last week, my neighbor told me about a marine fish with venomous spikes on their back

• Semantic memory: when walking on the beach, it’s wise to watch what you step on.

Over time we lose individual episodic memories resulting in

semantic knowledge