physiology of memory

1. BHS AP Psychology
Unit 2: Memory (Cognition):
M32 - Physiology of Memory Storage and
retrieval

2. 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

4. 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

5. Where Are Memories Stored?

6. 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

7. 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
Zzz…

8. • 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

9. Frontal lobe and MemoryFrontal lobe and Memory
32-2 cont…32-2 cont…
Frontal Lobe = Working memory

10. Putting it together:
Explicit memory systemExplicit memory system:Various
memory
centers within
the brain store
new input innew input in
LTMLTM
Hippocampus organizes newHippocampus organizes new
memories into various memorymemories into various memory
centers of the braincenters of the brain
STORAGESTORAGE
((FRONTAL LOBEFRONTAL LOBE))WORKINGWORKING
MEMORYMEMORY needs stored memoriesneeds stored memories
from the LTM to process with newfrom the LTM to process with new
stimulus from sensory registersstimulus from sensory registers
RETRIEVAL:RETRIEVAL:
Zzz...
Hippocampus
SelectsLTM’s
Tosendtofrontal
lobe.Retrieval

11. 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

12. Memory Storage:Memory Storage:
Implicit-MemoryImplicit-Memory System and automatic processing:System and automatic processing:
TheThe Cerebellum and Basal GangliaCerebellum and Basal Ganglia
32-3 Describe the roles of the
cerebellum and basal ganglia in our
memory processing.

13. 32-332-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellumDescribe 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

14. 32-332-3 Describe the roles of the cerebellumDescribe 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.

15. 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

16. 32-4 Discuss how emotions affect ourDiscuss how emotions affect our
memory processingmemory processing
Memory StorageMemory Storage
The 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?

17. 32-4 Discuss how emotions affectDiscuss how emotions affect
our memory processingour memory processing
Stress Hormones & MemoryStress Hormones & Memory
Heightened emotions (stress-related
or otherwise) make for stronger
memories.
Hormones such as Epinephrine act on
brain centers in the brain
Extreme stress undermines learning andExtreme stress undermines learning and
later recalllater recall designed to override logic for adesigned to override logic for a
more immediate responsemore immediate response
How does this apply to an exam?

18. 32-4 Discuss how emotionsDiscuss 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?

19. Biological Forgetting Factors
• Damage to the Hippocampus
Difficulty forming new explicit memories… what
about implicit?
Diminished in Alzheimer’s patients
• Neurotransmitters play a role
Acetylcholine
Alzheimer’s patients show low to very low levels
of this
• Decay theory
Memories deteriorate because of the passage of
time
Distractor Studies – information fades from STM

20. 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

21. 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

22. How are the Memories Stored?
Synaptic Changes Long-TermLong-Term
Potentiation (LTP)Potentiation (LTP)
A long-lasting
change in the
structure or function
of a synapse that
increase the
efficiency of neural
transmission.

23. Memory Storage: lets go
full circle

24. Memory Storage

25. Memory Storage

26. Memory Storage

27. Memory Storage

28. Memory Storage

29. Memory Storage

30. Memory Storage

31. Memory Storage

32. Memory Storage

33. Memory Storage

34. Memory Storage

35. Memory Storage

36. 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?