m32 physiology of memory

BHS AP PsychologyUnit 2: Memory (Cognition):

M32 - Physiology of Memory Storage and retrieval

32-1 Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

32-2 Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing.

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processing.

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our memory processing.

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

32-6 Explain how memory is measured.

32-7 Describe how external cues, internal emotions, and order of appearance influence memory retrieval.

OutlineOutline

32-1: Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

Memory Storage: Retaining Information in the Brain: unlimited capacity Case study: Kim Peek

Memories are NOT stored in one part of the brain, but in several. •Not libraries, but interconnected networks that draw memories/ info from many different part of the

Where Are Memories Stored?

32-1 Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

32-2 Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing.

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processing.

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our memory processing.

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

32-6 Explain how memory is measured.

32-7 Describe how external cues, internal emotions, and order of appearance influence memory retrieval.

OutlineOutline

32-2:Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing. ( (Retaining Information in the Brain): Retaining Information in the Brain):

Explicit-Memory System: The Frontal Lobes and Hippocampus

•Hippocampus–Part of the limbic system–Helps process explicit memories from multiple centers of the brain–Consolidation during sleep

– Organizes and stores information

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• Hippocampus: turns STM into LTM

1.)How is the game hungry hippos analogous to the hippocampus's retrieving and organization of memories and knowledge?

2.) what changes in memory would we see if the Hippocampus were damaged? Be specific in terms of which type of memory and how

Frontal lobe and Memory Frontal lobe and Memory 32-2 cont…32-2 cont…

Frontal Lobe = Working memory

Putting it together: Explicit memory systemExplicit memory system:

Various memory centers within the brain store new input in new input in LTMLTM

Hippocampus organizes new Hippocampus organizes new memories into various memory memories into various memory centers of the brain centers of the brain

STORAGESTORAGE

((FRONTAL LOBEFRONTAL LOBE))WORKING WORKING MEMORY MEMORY needs stored memories needs stored memories from the LTM to process with new from the LTM to process with new stimulus from sensory registers stimulus from sensory registers

RETRIEVAL: RETRIEVAL:

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32-1 Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

32-2 Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing.

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processing.

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our memory processing.

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

32-6 Explain how memory is measured.

32-7 Describe how external cues, internal emotions, and order of appearance influence memory retrieval.

OutlineOutline

Memory Storage:Memory Storage:Implicit-Memory Implicit-Memory System and automatic processing: System and automatic processing: The The Cerebellum and Basal GangliaCerebellum and Basal Ganglia

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our

memory processing.

32-3 32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processingand basal ganglia in our memory processing

What is implicit memory and automatic processingautomatic processing? PTSD

Automaticity is the ability to do things without occupying the mind with the low-level details required, allowing it to become an automatic response pattern or habit. It is usually the result of learning, repetition, and practice.

The cerebellum plays a key role in forming and storing the implicit memories created by classical conditioning. learned through repetition and rote

Damage to Cerebellum =

no new habits or learned responses

32-3 32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processingand basal ganglia in our memory processing..

•Infantile amnesia

The basal ganglia, deep brain structures involved in motor movement, facilitate formation of our procedural memories for skills 

The basal ganglia receive input from the cortex but do not return the favor of sending information back to the cortex for conscious awareness of procedural learning.

32-1 Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

32-2 Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing.

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processing.

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our memory processing.

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

32-6 Explain how memory is measured.

32-7 Describe how external cues, internal emotions, and order of appearance influence memory retrieval.

OutlineOutline

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our Discuss how emotions affect our memory processingmemory processing

Memory StorageMemory StorageThe Amygdala, Emotions, The Amygdala, Emotions, and Memoryand Memory •Amygdala looks like a pea

•Emotions trigger stress hormones telling the brain that something important just

happened.•Increase in hormone level signal the

amygdala to send a “memory trace” in the frontal lobe and basal ganglia

•Flashbulb Memories

With regards to the memory trace being sent to the frontal lobe AND the Basal Ganglia, what

does this mean for memory?

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect Discuss how emotions affect our memory processingour memory processingStress Hormones & MemoryStress Hormones & MemoryHeightened emotions (stress-related or otherwise) make for stronger memories. Hormones such as Epinephrine act on brain centers in the brainExtreme stress undermines learning Extreme stress undermines learning and later recalland later recall designed to override designed to override logic for a more immediate responselogic for a more immediate responseHow does this apply to an exam?

32-4 Discuss how emotions Discuss how emotions affect our memory processingaffect our memory processing• Pollyanna principle: We tend to remember things

pleasant things more efficiently and accurately than unpleasant things.Examples?

• Repressed memories are memories that have been unconsciously blocked due to the memory being associated with a high level of stress or trauma. The theory postulates that even though the individual cannot recall the memory, it may still be affecting them consciously.

Explain how this is so?

Biological Forgetting Factors

• Damage to the HippocampusDifficulty forming new explicit memories… what about implicit?Diminished in Alzheimer’s patients

• Neurotransmitters play a roleAcetylcholine Alzheimer’s patients show low to very low levels of this

• Decay theoryMemories deteriorate because of the passage of timeDistractor Studies – information fades from STM

32-1 Describe the capacity and location of our long-term memories.

32-2 Describe the roles of the frontal lobes and hippocampus in memory processing.

32-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in our memory processing.

32-4 Discuss how emotions affect our memory processing.

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

32-6 Explain how memory is measured.

32-7 Describe how external cues, internal emotions, and order of appearance influence memory retrieval.

OutlineOutline

32-5 Explain how changes at the synapse level affect our memory processing.

When learning occurs, the slug releases more of the neurotransmitter serotonin into certain synapses. Those synapses then become more efficient at transmitting signals.

•Aplysia This increased efficiency of potential neural firing, called long-term potentiation (LTP), provides a neural basis for learning and remembering associations

How are the Memories Stored?Synaptic ChangesLong-Term Long-Term

Potentiation Potentiation (LTP) (LTP) A long-

lasting change in the structure or

function of a synapse that increase the

efficiency of neural transmission.

Memory Storage: lets go full circle

Memory Storage

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Memory Storage

Self TestingSelf Testing

1. ASK YOURSELF Can you name an instance in which stress has helped you remember something, and another instance in which stress has interfered with remembering something?

2. TEST YOURSELF Your friend tells you that her father experienced brain damage in an accident. She wonders if psychology can explain why he can still play checkers very well but has a hard time holding a sensible conversation. What can you tell her?