Tulvings Episodic and Semantic Memory

Tulvings Episodic and Semantic Memory

1. Episodic

   • Episodic memories are stored information about personal events/experiences eg, family holiday memories
   • It is generally linked to a time and date eg, first day at school. Also, smells and emotions can become attached to these memories.
   • Encoded using all forms. The retrieval can occur without learning as it does not rely on cues.
   • Forgetting certain memories can be due to retieval cue failure and they can be changed/distorted.

2. Semantic

   • Semantic memories are information about facts and general knowledge eg, the capital city of France.
   • Semantic memories can include memories of ourselves. You can have a semantic memory without remembering where or when it was learnt, meaning you can have individual semantic memories.
   • There is no set time and place for example, you don't know when you learnt the capital of France.
   • Memories are encoded acousitcally but are not organsied like episodic. Information can also be encoded via episodic memories.
   • Retrieval can be encouraged via cues which are also encoded at the point of learning. Memory trace can be strong and less suceptable to transformation eg, 2+2=4 will always remain the same.

3. HM can oppose the theory - When completing the star task he had no recall of completing it, however he improved over time