Long term memory

 

What is long term memory? 

Stores information for up to a lifetime limitless capacity & duration. 

Declarative/Explicit memory and procedural/non declarative memory. 

Research into LTMH has shown that LTM is not a single unitary store, rather it seems to have many different components which may be represented by separate brain systems. (challenges MSM) 

There is a major distention between two types of LTM. 

  1. Conscious memory we have for events and facts (declarative memory) for example knowing that the capital of France is Paris. 

  1. Type of memory that is not open to conscious recollection but that we see in our skilled behaviors and habits (procedural memory) for example knowing how to tie our laces, ride a bike, play the piano.  

Procedural memory 

Knowing how to do something is procedural memory. Consider the many skills we have that we cannot recall how to perform, for example how to walk, cycle, swim. 

This is because it is an unconscious effect. 

Declarative memory: 

 

 

Semantic: 

 

 

 

 

Episodic: 

There are at least two types of declarative memory. 

 

Consists of our general knowledge about the world. For example, the facts we learn at school, knowing London is the capital of England.  

 

The ability to form, store & recall memories of personal past events/experiences. It's important in daily task e.g. remembering where you parked your car, time of the revision class you attended.  

 

 

Long-term memory 

Explicit memory (declarative) 

Memory with conscious recall 

Implicit memory (non - declarative memory) 

Memory without conscious recall.  

Episodic memory  

Events you have experienced  

Semantic memory 

General knowledge, facts 

Procedural memory 

Moter skills, actions 

 

Experiments: 

Henry Roediger 

Roediger pointed out that when people use the term remembering they are generally referring to a process where they are consciously recalling things from their past learning (declarative memory) 

This, however, cannot account for all forms of remembering. 

Sometimes we demonstrate that we have knowledge by doing something (procedural). 

Tulving  

Brain scans – 6 volunteers found 

Episodic – frontal lobe active 

Sematic – Back cortex active 

Therefore, two separate systems. 

Heindel 

Huntingdon's disease  

Patients no problem  

Learning facts (sematic) 

Unable to learn new skills (procedural) 

  • Semantic & procedural two separate systems.