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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