AP PSYCH 5.6 Biological Bases of Memory

Biology of Memory

  • Changes happen at the cellular level when learning occurs

Long-Term Potentiation

  • Increased efficiency in the synapse when repeatedly stimulated
  • The neuron will need less activation
  • More connections are made and so the memory is easier to access
  • Can last from hours to weeks

Explicit Memory

  • Memory for experiences and facts
  • Associated with the hippocampus and the frontal lobe   * The hippocampus is the hub through which complex neural memory networks are made

Implicit Memory

  • Memory for procedures, conditioning, timing
  • The cerebellum is associated with this type of memory   * Also associated with classical conditioning
  • The basal ganglia in the deep brain are associated with procedural motor skills like walking

Emotional Memory

  • The limbic system is the center of emotion in the brain
  • Including the hippocampus and amygdala
Flashbulb Memories
  • Extremely vivid and emotionally potent memories
  • Typically of a personal, impactful experience   * For many American adults, the moment they heard about 9/11 is a flashbulb memory   * So vivid, you can often recall the smells, the temperature, the weather, and other small details
  • Not immune to distortion
  • Thought to occur because of the immense emotional meaning   * The limbic system kicks in and recognizes this as a very important event   * Because of that, every detail is encoded

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