Types of LTM AO3

• -However there are conflicting research findings linking types of LTM to areas of the brain. Buckner and Petersen concluded that semantic memory is located on the left side of the prefrontal cortex and episodic memory on the right side of the prefrontal cortex. Other research states that the opposite is true (Tulving). This challenges any neurophysiological evidence to support types of memory as there is poor agreement on where each type may be located.
• +LTM allows psychologists to help people with memory problems. Research shows that memory loss that occurs as people age is episodic. Belleville designed an intervention to improve episodic memories in older people -these participants performed better on an episodic memory test than a control group. This shows that distinguishing between types of LTM enables specific treatments to be developed.
• +The case studies of HM and Clive Wearing support different types of LTM stores. Episodic memory in both men was severely impaired due to brain damage. Their semantic memories were relatively unaffected. HM couldn't recall stroking a dog half an hour earlier but didn’t need the word dog explained to him. Their procedural memories were also unaffected. They both knew how to walk, talk and speak and CW knew how to sing, read & play the piano. This evidence supports Tulving’s view that there are different memory stores in LTM, one store can be damaged and the others unaffected.
• -Studying people with brain injuries can help researchers understand how memory is supposed to work normally. Clinical studies lack control of variables: the brain injuries experienced by participants were usually unexpected and the researcher had no way of controlling what happened before or during the injury. The researcher also has no knowledge of the participants memory before the damage. Therefore it’s difficult to judge how much worse it is afterwards. The lack of contrast limits what CS can tell us about different types of LTM.