Evaluations LTM

• S of LTM - neuroimaging evidence to support it. Tulving et al used brain scan studies to show that different types of memory are stored in different parts of the brain. Participants were asked to perform various memory tasks including tasks requiring the recall of semantic and episodic memories whilst scanning their brains using PET scans. He found that when episodic memories were recalled, the pre-frontal cortex was more active and when participants recalled semantic memories the posterior region of the cortex was more active.....
• (Strength of LTM is that there is neuroimaging evidence to support it) .....S bc - different types of LTM are separate memory stores and since they are PET scans they provide physical and objective evidence. This is further supported by research which confirms many times that these brain areas are involved in different types of LTM. Increase validity of the findings and LTM
• S of LTM - Practical Applications. Episodic memory is the type of memory that is most often affected by mild cognitive impairments which highlights the benefit of being able to distinguish between types of LTM. Belleville et al demonstrated that episodic memories could be improved in older people who had a mild cognitive impairment. The trained participants performed better on a test of episodic memory after training than the control group....
• (Strenght of LTM theory is that it has real life practical applications) ...S bc by knowing about the separate stores of LTM, from the theory, we are able to distinguish between different types of LTM and treat them accordingly. Moreover, as the treatment is effective we can assume the theory is valid. Increase in utility
• S of LTM - clinical evidence to support it. Clive Wearing contracted a viral infection causing extensive brain damage. He lost all his declarative episodic memory (no memory of his wedding) but he still has use of his procedural memory (can still play piano). This shows that one store can be damaged but others are unaffected....