GRT 2100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Long-Term Memory, Episodic Memory, Procedural Memory
20 Aug 2016
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GRT 2100 lecture 7??
October 2nd 2015
(continued from last lecture)
-memory: involves the storage and recall of information
-short term memory: info stored temporarily for a very short period
-working memory: processes that are used to temporarily store, organize and manipulate
information
-immediate conscious and linguistic processing
-may become more confused since info is not always there when we need it
-long term memory: info stored and retrievable over a long period of time
-only need to keep bits of memory in your mind
-must be able form cognitive operations on this information (think about it, transform it,
visualize it, etc)
-unlimited storage
-personal experiences
-short term memory can be converted into long term memory based on the meaning and
association of these memories
-information can remain in long term memory indefinitely
-remote memory: recall of prior evens that occurred in the distant past
-episodic memory: captures the ‘what, where, when’ of our daily lives, memory of
experiences and specific events
-how we organize time in our lives
-semantic memory: ability to recall concepts and general facts that are not related to
specific experiences
-stays intact with older people as well
-for concept-based knowledge, for meanings and understanding, for vocabulary and
language, etc
-example: clocks are used to tell time
-procedural memory: remembering how to do things
-involves how one rides a bike, drive a car, etc
-some types of memory may improve or stay the same
-semantic memory continues to improve for many older adults
-procedural memory typically stays the same
-remote memory is okay
-some types of memory decline
-aspects of episodic and long term memory
-the following common conditions may lead to memory problems:
-anxiety
-dehydration
-depressing
-infection
-medication side effects
-poor nutrition
-stress
-substance abuse
-thyroid imbalance
-“having a senior moment”: applies to any instance of memory lapse
-interesting example of how people overuse identity accommodation
-generally used as a humorous explanation
-overusing this may be problematic
-memory lapses can be more frightening
! of !1 5
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
GRT 2100 lecture 7??
October 2nd 2015
-executive functioning: ability to enable goal-rented behaviour such as planing and
executing a task
-decision-making: ability to make decisions based on incomplete information or problem
solving
-fill in the gaps using cognitive skills
-flexibility: capacity to efficiently switch to an appropriate mental function and adopt
multiple approaches
-planning: ability to organize steps for an activity and anticipate outcomes
-emotional self-regulation: ability to identity and manage one’s emotion for successful or
good performance
-regulate moods when trying to do something
-problem solving: ability to define a problem correctly in order to generate solutions and
select the right one
-strategy: ability to plan a series of maneuvers for obtaining a specific result
-sequencing: ability to break down actions into manageable units and prioritize them in
the correct order
-executive functioning and the aging brain: research indicates altered pattens of brain
activity in order versus younger adults when performing executive functioning tasks
-functioning imaging studies suggest increase recruitment of brain areas in older adults that
may reflect a form of compensation (more parts of their brain light up in a scan; there brain
is trying to compensate for the limitations of aging)
-the most commonly reported age-related pattern of brain activity during executive
function tasks (such as working memory, task-switching, inhibition, etc) is increased
recruitment (more activity) of lateral aspects (outer part) of the prefrontal cortex (front part)
bilaterally (both right and left hemisphere)
-a lot more stuff is happening in the front of the brain in old people
-changes in the brain may include:
-parts of the brain (prefrontal cortex) may shrink in older individuals
-communication between neurons changes as well (affects how messages are sent across
the brain and body)
-blood flow to the brain diminishes over time
-neuroplasticity (brain plasticity): the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself by forming new
neural connections and pathways throughout life
-the brain’s ability to change can occur as a result of learning and experience and
damage to the brain
-several studies do show that the brain remains capable of learning and retaining new
facts and skills throughout one’s life (especially true for those who get regular exercise
and frequent intellectual stimulation)
-psychosocial factors that impact the aging brain:
-sleep
-diet (caffeine and alcohol intake)
-physical exercise
-parietal lobe: sense of touch, awareness of spatial relationships and academic functioning
such as reading
-perception, making sense of the world, arithmetic, spelling
-occipital lobe: vision
-cerebellum: balance, coordination, skilled motor activity
-brainstem: breathing, heart rate, arousal and consciousness, sleep and wake cycles
! of !2 5
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Memory: involves the storage and recall of information. Short term memory: info stored temporarily for a very short period. Working memory: processes that are used to temporarily store, organize and manipulate information. May become more confused since info is not always there when we need it. Long term memory: info stored and retrievable over a long period of time. Only need to keep bits of memory in your mind. Must be able form cognitive operations on this information (think about it, transform it, visualize it, etc) Short term memory can be converted into long term memory based on the meaning and association of these memories. Information can remain in long term memory inde nitely. Remote memory: recall of prior evens that occurred in the distant past. Episodic memory: captures the what, where, when" of our daily lives, memory of experiences and speci c events. How we organize time in our lives.
