evaluation

• • positive
  • There is evidence from brain scans that support the existence of different types of LTM.
  • For example, PET scans show us that different parts of the brain are active when the different types of LTM are being used.
  • Episodic memory is associated with the hippocampus and temporal lobe, semantic memory is associated with the temporal lobe and the procedural memory is associated with the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
  • This means that the claim that there are different types of LTM are valid as there are physical neural differences.
• • strength
  • Case studies of amnesiac support the existence of different types of LTM
  • For example Clive Wearing had a severe case of amnesia and had trouble remembering events that happened to him after his amnesia, however he had procedural memory, such as riding a bike.
  • This shows that Clive's STM was damaged but his LTM was unaffected.
  • This means that damage to one type of LTM can leave the other unaffected, showing that there are different types of LTM.
• Negative

  • Evidence from case studies may be lacking some core features of a science.
  • They focus on one individual patient who usually suffered brain damage for example Clive Wearing. As a result you are unable to replicate the results of this unique case to a wider population.
  • This means we can't really state if the LTM is made up of different components.
• Positive

  • Understanding different types of LTM allows for the development of helpful real life practical applications.
  • Belleville et al (2006) compared the performance of older people suffering with mild cognitive impairment who received memory training with that of a control group who did not. It was found that pps in the experimental condition performed better on a test of episodic memory.
  • This suggests that being able to identify the type of LTM being used can allow psychologists to create appropriate treatments and improve lives.
• strengths of long term memory (3)

  • practical applications can be developed (Belleville et al)
  • evidence from case studies (Clive Wearing)
  • Supporting evidence from brain scans
• Limitation of brain scans

  • case studies lack core features of a science