Long-term memory systems

What 2 systems is STM divided into?

1. Phonological loop

2. Visuo-spatial sketchpad

What is the phonological loop responsible for?

Storing verbal/ auditory info (e.g. digit span, nonword repetition)

What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad do?

Supports visual and spatial reasoning taks (e.g. mental rotation, corsi block tapping)

What additional component might be needed in the WM model?

Semantic STM- storing gist of sentences, supports comprehension even with impaired phonological STM

What is one function of STM?

It supports thinking and helps convert information into LTM

How do different STMs relate to LTMs

Phonological STM→ phonological

What is phonological LTM?

Stores spoken word forms without meaning; essential for spoken word recognition

Wha

What is semantic LTM?

Stores meanings of words and objects; supports inferences and sentence comprehension

What is episodic memory?

Stores personally experienced events by linking different LTM systems

What dissociation exists between phonological STM and episodic LTM?

Amnesics: poor episodic memory, intact STM

STM patients: poor STM, intact episodic memory

Double dissociation supports independence of systems

Does this contradict the view that STM feeds into LTM?

No, episodic LTM can be supported by other STM sysytems

How is procedural memory affected in amnesia?

Amnesics can still learn motor skills (e.g. mirror drawing), showing proedural memory is intact

Which diseases impair procedural learning?

Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease (due to basal ganglia damage)

What happens to the serial position curve with fast presentation?

Primary effect decreases (episodic memory load reduced)

What happens with delayed recall?

Recency effect decreases (less support from phonological STM)

What 6 systems make up long-term memory?

1. Episodic memory

2. Semantic memory

3. Phonological LTM

4. Visual LTM

5. LTM for non-language sounds

6. Procedural memory

What is the benefit of double dissociation?

Stronger evidence for functionally independent memory systems