Chapter 77. Long-Term Memory Systems

Learning Objectives

basal ganglia
several clusters of neurons connected to the thalamus; work with the cerebellum in coordinating muscle movements
implicit memory
memory for procedures and associations that we cannot consciously recall; also called nondeclarative memory
cerebellum
brain structure that coordinates movement and balance, and is involved in forming new implicit memories
long-term memory (LTM)
relatively permanent memory storage; can hold a large amount of information for years
cerebral cortex
six thin layers of interconnected neurons that cover the outer surface of the brain and do most of the brain’s processing
memory
the process of remembering information that has been learned
classical conditioning
a simple form of learning that involves forming an association between two stimuli
operant conditioning
type of learning in which a behavior is influenced by the favorable or unfavorable consequences that follow it
episodic memory
one part of explicit memory; stores autobiographical details and events that we have personally experienced
procedural memory
a type of implicit memory that stores information about how to do something such as perform a motor skill
explicit memory
memory for factual and autobiographical information that we can consciously recall; also called declarative memory
semantic memory
one part of explicit memory; stores basic facts and general knowledge not based on personal experiences
hippocampus
brain structure in the limbic system that is essential for forming new explicit memories
Long-Term Memory Systems
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Learning Objectives:

Describe the two long-term memory (LTM) systems (implicit memory and explicit memory).

Identify the specific types of memories stored in each memory system.

Review

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A tree diagram represents long term memory. Within long term memory there are two systems, explicit memory and implicit memory. These two systems are connected to each other with a double headed arrow.

1. Long-term memory (LTM) is not a single, unified system. Instead, we have two long-term memory systems operating in tandem.

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2. One system, called explicit memory, or declarative memory, controls our conscious recall of facts and experiences. These memories are processed in the hippocampus and stored in various areas across the brain’s cerebral cortex. Individuals with damage to the hippocampus cannot form new explicit memories.

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3. The second system, called implicit memory, or nondeclarative memory, handles a different type of information. Implicit memories are unconscious (that is, they can't be consciously recalled). They are memories for procedural skills (how to do something) and conditioned associations (how to respond to events). These memories are mainly processed in the cerebellum (and the basal ganglia), involved in controlling muscle movements.

Review

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A tree diagram represents long term memory. Within long term memory there are two systems, explicit memory and implicit memory. These two systems are connected to each other with a double headed arrow. Explicit memory is further broken down into two types of memory: semantic memory and episodic memory. Semantic memory is general world knowledge. Episodic memory is autobiographical knowledge.

4. Some of the memories stored in our explicit memory system are facts about the world. This form of memory, called semantic memory, is our storehouse of general knowledge about topics such as the boiling point of water or the capital city of France. We know these things, but we typically don’t know when or how we learned them. In contrast, episodic memory stores the events of our personal life, each tagged with information about its location and time.

Review

concept_review

Review

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A tree diagram represents long term memory. Within long term memory there are two systems, explicit memory and implicit memory. These two systems are connected to each other with a double headed arrow. Implicit memory is further broken down into two types of memory: procedural memory and conditioning. Procedural memory includes skills and strategies. Conditioning includes learned associations.

5. Some of the memories stored in our implicit memory system are muscle-control programs for tying our shoes or writing our signature. This is called procedural memory, because it stores the strategies, or procedures, for doing things. Other implicit memories are simple learned associations formed through classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Practice 1: Two Memory Systems

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Practice 1: Two Memory Systems

Roll over the memory system labels to learn about each system.

Description of selected memory system:

nondeclarative memory;
without conscious recall;
processed by cerebellum and basal ganglia;
retention of associations and know-how that is outside of our conscious recollection

declarative memory;
with conscious recall;
processed in hippocampus;
contains facts and experiences we know and declare to others

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Practice 2: Four Types of Memory

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Practice 2: Four Types of Memory

Roll over the memory system labels to learn about the four specific types of memories stored in long-term memory.

Components of selected memory system:

processed by the cerebellum and basal ganglia;
motor skills and strategies (procedural memory);
memories formed by classical and operant conditioning

processed in hippocampus;
facts and general knowledge (semantic memory);
personally experienced events (episodic memory)

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Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each characteristic to the area next to the appropriate long-term memory system (LTM). When all the characteristics have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Explicit memory

Implicit memory

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Perhaps you should go back to review the two memory systems related to long-term memory.
Declarative memory
Nondeclarative memory
With conscious recall
Without conscious recall
Processed by hippocampus
Processed by cerebellum
Facts and general knowledge
Motor skills and strategies
Personally experienced events
Classical and operant conditioning

Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

Drag each of the terms to the correct location in the sentences. When all the terms have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

The figure is a cross section of the brain. In the middle of the brain is a horseshoe shaped area. A line points to this area outside the brain on the left side. A blank appears for the brain structure's name and the memory system it is a part of. In the back of the brain, below the cortex and near the top of the spinal cord, is a round area. A line points to this area outside the brain on the right side. A blank appears for the brain structure's name and the memory system it is a part of. At the top of the screen the following four words appear to drag to the blanks on each side of the brain. These words include the following: explicit, cerebellum, hippocampus, and implicit.

This brain structure is called the

and is part of the

memory system.

This brain structure is called the

and is part of the

memory system.

Select the NEXT button and move to Conclusion.
Perhaps you should go back to review the two memory systems related to long-term memory.
explicit
cerebellum
hippocampus
implicit

Conclusion

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