Question 1

Some theorists believe that an association exists between implicit memory and which other memory system?

Accepted Answer

Some theorists believe that implicit memory is closely linked to procedural memory, which involves learning how to do specific tasks and actions without conscious awareness or effort.

Question 2

Natasha asks Oscar for directions to his house. When he tells her to turn on 4th Street, she asks what colour the house is on the corner where she turns. Oscar is surprised that he actually knows the house is blue, since he never really thought about it. Which type of memory holds information about the house colour in this instance?

Accepted Answer

Implicit memory is responsible for the knowledge we haven't actively tried to remember, such as the color of a house we pass by regularly. Oscar's knowledge about the house color, which he recalls without having intentionally memorized it, is an example of implicit memory.

Question 3

Which memory system contains words, definitions, events, and ideas?

Accepted Answer

Declarative memory system contains words, definitions, events, and ideas. This type of memory is related to the conscious recall of information.

Question 4

Which type of memory is reasonably unaffected by amnesia?

Accepted Answer

Implicit memory, also known as non-declarative memory, includes skills and habits that are not necessarily conscious. This type of memory has been shown to be relatively unaffected by amnesia, as individuals with amnesia may still be able to learn new skills and perform previously learned habits. Explicit memory, on the other hand, includes declarative information that can be consciously recalled and is often heavily impacted by amnesia. Episodic memory and generative memory are types of explicit memory, so they are also likely to be impacted by amnesia.

Question 5

Dave is thrown from his motorcycle and suffers a severe blow to the head, resulting in loss of memory for events that occurred before the accident. What is this loss called?

Accepted Answer

Retrograde amnesia refers to the loss of memory for events that occurred before an injury or trauma. This is different from anterograde amnesia, which refers to the inability to form new memories after an injury or trauma. Proactive interference refers to when old information interferes with the ability to remember new information, while retroactive interference refers to when new information interferes with the ability to remember old information.

Question 6

Which brain structures does nondeclarative memory appear to involve?

Accepted Answer

Nondeclarative memory appears to involve the cerebellum and amygdala, among other brain structures. The cerebellum is involved in motor learning and procedural memory, while the amygdala is involved in emotional and conditioned memory.

Question 7

Which of the following brain areas contributes to memory for temporal sequences and to short-term, working memory?

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is involved in memory for temporal sequences and short-term, working memory. The limbic system (A) and hippocampus (B) are more involved in long-term memory formation, while the amygdala (C) is primarily associated with emotional processing.

Question 8

Hayden is explaining the rules of his new computer game to Shane. From which memory system does Hayden retrieve information about the rules?

Accepted Answer

Declarative memory is responsible for the storage and retrieval of factual information, such as rules for a computer game.

Question 9

Andre is demonstrating a new computer program to his roommate. Which memory system is Andre largely relying on as he shows his roommate how to open the application and create a file?

Accepted Answer

Andre is largely relying on procedural memory to demonstrate the steps involved in opening the application and creating a file. This type of memory system involves the storage and retrieval of procedures or skills, such as playing an instrument or riding a bike.

Question 10

Damage to which brain area is most likely to cause deficits in long-term memory?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampal region is crucial for the formation and consolidation of long-term memory. Damage to this area can cause deficits in the ability to form and retrieve new long-term memories. Broca's area is responsible for language production, while Wernicke's area is involved in language comprehension, and the occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing.

Question 11

By which brain areas does declarative memory appear to be handled?

Accepted Answer

Declarative memory, including both semantic memory and episodic memory, appears to be handled by the hippocampal complex and the areas of the cortex with which it communicates. This includes the entorhinal cortex, perirhinal cortex, and parahippocampal cortex. While other brain areas may also play a role in specific aspects of declarative memory, the hippocampal complex is widely recognized as a key player in forming and retrieving these types of memories.

Question 12

What is procedural memory?

Accepted Answer

Procedural memory refers to the memory for actions, skills, and operations. It is the memory that enables individuals to perform tasks without consciously thinking about the steps involved. Examples of procedural memory include knowing how to ride a bike, type on a keyboard, or play a musical instrument.

Question 13

What do you have if you suffer from an inability to recall old memories as a result of brain trauma?

Accepted Answer

Retrograde amnesia is the loss of the ability to recall old memories due to brain trauma. Korsakoff's syndrome is a disorder caused by a thiamine deficiency, which results in memory loss and other cognitive impairments. Limbic system inversion and retroactive interference are not related to the specific type of memory loss described in the question.

Question 14

Adrianna was skiing when she fell and hit her head. When the operators of the ski resort ask her what she was doing just before she fell, she really can't remember. Which of the following is Adrianna's memory loss consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Adrianna's inability to remember events just before her fall is consistent with retrograde amnesia, which involves the loss of pre-existing memories prior to an injury or trauma.

Question 15

What is the term for the gradual conversion of information into durable long-term memory codes?

Accepted Answer

Consolidation refers to the process by which information is gradually converted into durable long-term memory codes. It involves the strengthening of neural connections in the brain and the reorganization of memory traces. Long-term potentiation (B) refers to the strengthening of synapses that occurs when two neurons are repeatedly activated together. Postsynaptic conversion (A) is not a recognized term in the field of psychology or neuroscience. Elaboration (D) refers to the process of adding additional information to a memory to make it more memorable. While this may contribute to long-term memory consolidation, it is not the same process as consolidation itself.

Question 16

What did researchers learn from the profound amnesia that H.M. experienced after undergoing surgery to control his epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Researchers learned from H.M.'s amnesia that the hippocampal complex, which was removed during his surgery, plays a key role in the consolidation of long-term memories.

Question 17

Which of the following areas of the brain is associated with the severe memory impairment that occurs in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampal region of the brain is responsible for forming and consolidating new memories. In Alzheimer's disease, this area is severely impacted, leading to severe memory impairment.

Question 18

Evidence from studies of which of the following most clearly supports the idea that memory traces consist of specific neural circuits?

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the process by which synaptic connections between neurons become stronger as a result of repeated stimulation. It has been extensively studied as a model for the neural basis of learning and memory. LTP provides evidence for the idea that memory traces consist of specific neural circuits because it suggests that the strengthening of synaptic connections is a key mechanism underlying the formation and consolidation of memories. By strengthening specific circuits, LTP allows memories to be stored and retrieved.

Question 19

Trevor was in a car accident and hit his head on the dashboard. Later, when the police question him about the events just prior to the accident, he draws a complete blank. Which of the following are Trevor's memory difficulties consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Trevor's inability to recall events just prior to the accident is consistent with retrograde amnesia, which involves the loss of pre-existing memories before an injury or trauma.

Question 20

Faith had brain surgery to remove a small tumour from her temporal lobe. While recovering from the surgery Faith appeared to be fine, and she was able to talk about events from both her childhood and just before the surgery. However, she has not learned anything that has happened since the surgery. Which of the following are Faith's memory difficulties consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Faith's memory difficulties are consistent with anterograde amnesia, which is the inability to form new memories after a brain injury or surgery. This is different from retrograde amnesia, which is the loss of memories from before the injury, and proactive interference and pseudoforgetting, which are related to memory encoding and retrieval processes, rather than injury or surgery.

Quiz 7: A: Human Memory