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Exploring Types of Long-Term Memory

May 4, 2025

Verity Mind Lecture: Exploring Long-Term Memory

Overview

  • Part of a series on memory
  • Previous topics: Atkinson & Shiffrin's Multi-Store Model, Baddeley & Hitch's Working Memory Model
  • Focus: Types of Long-Term Memory

Types of Long-Term Memory

  1. Procedural Memory

    • Relates to motor/movement skills and actions
    • Involves knowing how to do things (e.g., riding a bike)
    • Non-declarative and difficult to describe verbally
    • Performed automatically without conscious inspection
    • Resistant to forgetting and amnesia

  2. Episodic Memory

    • Relates to specific events or episodes in life
    • Autobiographical, personal to the individual
    • Declarative and easy to put into words
    • Can be consciously inspected and recalled

  3. Semantic Memory

    • Fact-based memory for knowledge and meanings (e.g., the capital of Sweden is Stockholm)
    • Not tied to personal experiences
    • Declarative and easy to describe in words

Brain Involvement in Long-Term Memory

  • PET Scans & Memory
    • Endell Tolvin's studies show different brain areas for different memory types:
      • Episodic Memory: Right prefrontal cortex
      • Semantic Memory: Left prefrontal cortex

Case Studies

  • HM (Henry Molaison)

    • Childhood bicycle accident led to epilepsy, treated by removing the hippocampus
    • Resulted in anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories)
    • Procedural memory intact (e.g., could learn a task but not remember doing it)
    • Supports distinction between procedural vs. episodic/semantic memories

  • Clive Wearing

    • Viral infection damaged the hippocampus
    • Exhibits both anterograde and retrograde amnesia
    • Episodic and semantic memories severely impaired
    • Procedural memory intact (could still play piano)
    • Highlights distinctions among memory types

Considerations

  • Limitations of Case Studies
    • Rare and unique cases may not generalize to the wider population

Conclusion

  • Understanding of different types of long-term memories and their brain localizations
  • Reminder of the complexity of memory and the need for further exploration
  • Upcoming topic hinted: Why do we forget?

Additional Resources

  • Watch the next video to learn about forgetting and memory cues.

Remember to regularly review these notes to reinforce your understanding of long-term memory and its different types.

Full transcript