Discuss research into different types of long term memory (16 marks)
Long-term memory, the lasting storage of information in the brain, plays a fundamental role in human cognition. Semantic memory, the storage of general knowledge and facts about the world, encompasses information such as historical events, mathematical formulas, and vocabulary definitions. For instance, recalling that Paris is the capital of France or that water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen molecules relies on semantic memory.
Episodic memory, another facet of long-term memory, involves remembering specific events or experiences that occurred at particular times and places. This type of memory allows individuals to reminisce about past vacations, birthdays, or significant life events, including autobiographical details such as where they went on their last holiday or what they ate for dinner yesterday.
Procedural memory, the third type of long-term memory, pertains to the retention of how to perform certain tasks or skills, often without conscious awareness. This type of memory is crucial for activities like riding a bike, typing on a keyboard, or playing a musical instrument, involving the recall of motor movements and action sequences that enable individuals to execute complex behaviours effortlessly.
Evidence supporting the distinction between the three forms of memory – semantic, episodic, and procedural – comes from cognitive neuroscience, particularly in the form of brain scans. Episodic memories, for instance, have been shown to originate from the hippocampus and other regions of the frontal lobe. This neurological basis suggests that these memories are associated with specific brain structures involved in encoding and retrieval processes. Conversely, semantic memories exhibit activity in the temporal lobe, indicating distinct neural pathways compared to episodic memories. Moreover, procedural memories are linked to the cerebellum and involve the motor cortex, highlighting the intricate interplay between motor skills and memory formation. The high internal validity of biological evidence provides reliable and unbiased support for the notion of three separate types of long-term memory. These findings offer valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying different memory processes, enriching our understanding of human cognition and brain function.
Further biological support for the argument distinguishing between different forms of memory is provided by case studies of brain-damaged patients, exemplified by the well-known case of HM. HM experienced damage to the hippocampus and was initially believed to be incapable of forming new long-term memories. However, subsequent research by Corkin et al revealed that HM could indeed form new procedural memories while unable to encode declarative episodic or semantic memories. This finding reinforces the notion of distinct memory systems within the brain. However, it's important to acknowledge that brain damage confounds the evidence, reducing internal validity. Damage to the brain may impact various cognitive functions beyond memory, such as attention span and comprehension, complicating the interpretation of results.
Despite this limitation, case studies like HM's provide valuable insights into the neural basis of memory and contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between brain structures and cognitive processes.
