types of long term memory

• P: the distinction made between the three kinds of LTM is supported by brain scan research

  E: episodic memory is associated with the hippocampus and other parts of the temporal lobe where the hippocampus is located. semantic memory also relies on the temporal lobe. procedural memory activation is associated with the cerebellum, which is involved in the control of fine motor skills as well as the motor cortex.

  L: brain scans therefore indicate that the 3 types of memory are found in different parts of the brain and so are separate
• P: evidence from case studies offers further support for different types of LTM

  E: case study of HM, his ability to form new LTM was affected by the destruction of his hippocampus but he retained his pre-existing LTMS. sfter surgery, HM could form new procedural memories but not episodic or semantic memories. he was able to learn how to draw a figure (procedural) but he had no memory that he had learned this (semantic/episodic)

  L: this supports the distinction between procedural and declarative memories, and hence the existence of multiple types of LTM
• P: it is difficult to reach a firm conclusion by studying brain-damaged patients.

  E: difficulties with studies of amnesiacs, including HM, is that it is difficult to be certain of the exact parts of the brain that have been affected until a patient has died. most studies are conducted with living patients. damage to a particular area of the brain does not mean that area is responsible for a particular behaviour.

  L: this means we cannot establish a causal relationship between a particular brain region and type of LTM