Types of Long-Term Memory

What did Tulving (1985) suggest?

• He was one of the first to realise the multi-store model’s view of LTM was simplistic and inlfexible.

• He proposed there were 3 LTM stores: Episodic memory (hippocampus and frontal lobe), Semantic Memory (Temporal lobe), Procedural Memory (Cerebellum)

What is Episodic Memory?

• Ability to recall events from our lives

• Ability to remember when they happened

• Memory of a single episode will include several elements eg: people, places objects and behaviours in a single memory

• Must make a conscious effort to recall episodic memories.

• You may be able to do this quickly but you are still aware that you are searching for your memory of what happened when you went to the dentist.

What is Semantic Memory?

• Often likened to a combination of an encyclopedia and a dictionary.

• Not time stamped, eg: we don’t usually remember where we learnt how an orange tastes.

• Less personal and more about facts we share.

What is Procedural Memory?

• Memory for actions, skills, how we do things

• Eg: walking

• Might be difficult to explain to others.