Long-term memory

Long term memory 

• Non-declarative memory
• Declarative memory
• Permanent/near permanent storage of info
• Info has been well processed and integrated
• Assumed to be of unlimited capacity and duration, unlike STM

Encoding 

Consolidation hypothesis

• Some information is stored temporarily in STM
• With rehearsal, information transfers to long-term memory
• This transfer = consolidation
• Rehearsal -> neural activity causing structural changes
• These changes are permanent/solid and are responsible for LTM

Non-declarative

• Unconscious/implicit memory
• Highly automised procedures
• Demonstrated through behaviour
• Skill learning, priming - triggering of specific memories by certain cues, facilitated processing of a stimulus by presenting the same or similar stimulus previously
• conditioning - triggering of behaviour by certain cues

Declarative - conscious memory, explicit recollection of events and facts

• Semantic memory - memory relating to general knowledge
• Episodic memory - memory for events and episodes

Implicit memory - revealed when performance on a task is facilitated in the absence of conscious recollection

Explicit memory - is revealed when performance on a task requires conscious recollections of previous experiences

Way to test LTM - Non-declarative = implicit test, subjects are not aware of their memory being tested - word fragment completion

Declarative = explicit test, subjects are aware that their memory is being tested - recall, cued recall, recognition

Summary:

• There is evidence for at least 5 types of LTM
• Memory  is not unitary
• Distinction is supported a behavioural and neuropsychological level

All explicit memories are not the same

• Some memories are easier to recall than others
• Levels of processing effect -> deep/semantic processing boosts memory
• Encoding specificity principle -> retrieval cues boost memory
• Context-dependent memory -> encoding and retrieval match boosts memory