Types of LTM

• Who proposed the idea of three LTM stores?

  Tulving believed the MSM was too simplistic and inflexible and thus proposed the idea of three LTM stores
• What are the three LTM stores?

  Episodic memory , semantic memory , procedural memory
• What are the key features of episodic memory?

  • Refers to our ability to recall events and episodes in our life
  • Time stamped
  • must make a conscious effort to recall memories
• What are the key features of semantic memory?

  • Memories that relate to knowledge of the world (i.e taste of an orange, labelling species of animal etc)
  • not time stamped
  • less personal, more about facts we share
• What are key features of procedural memory?

  • Memory for actions and skills
  • can recall without conscious awareness and with ease
  • Might find these skills difficult to explain to others (e.g driving a car)
• What are two strengths and one limitation of the three memory stores?

  STRENGTHS:

  • Identifying specific types of LTM enables specific treatments to be developed.
  • The distinction between these three different types of LTM is supported by brain scans

  LIMITATION:

  • Poor control in studies reduces validity
  • The samples are so small and unique it cant be generalised to the public