Embedded Files
Role of episodic and semantic memory in retrieving autobiographical events and in constructing possible imagined futures .
Note: Remember that Episodic and Semantic memories fall under the "Explicit" branch of Long Term Memory in the Atkinson Shiffrin model of memory
Autobiographical events
Autobiographical events
Autobiographical events are experiences that have occurred at some time in our own lives. These are stored in episodic memory. In order to retrieve and become consciously aware of an autobiographical event in episodic memory, we have to engage in ‘mental time travel’ and place ourselves in the context of the event. The ability to travel mentally through time, to remember thoughts and feelings from the recent or distant past is unique to episodic memory.
semantic memory is not time-related so it does not require mental time travel.
Episodic memory allows us to not only mentally travel backward in time to recall past events, but also into the future
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the gradual widespread degeneration of brain neurons, progressively causing memory decline, deterioration of cognitive and social skills, and personality changes.
Caused by buildup in plaques and tangles.
Cortical areas tend to be damaged first, which disrupts STM. As the disease progresses to deeper parts of the brain such as the hippocampus and surrounding medial temporal lobe areas, LTM is increasingly impaired. Explicit episodic and semantic memories are primarily affected.
Implicit memories tend to remain intact or are less severely affected,
Patients with a deficit in remembering their past experiences could not construct new imagined experiences in response to short verbal cues.
Aphantasia
Aphantasia
Healthy people who report that they cannot form mental images. They have no visual experience at all when asked, for example, to form an image of an apple or a face they’re familiar with.
They report that they have never been able to ‘see’ anything in their ‘mind’s eye’ however hard they have tried.
Participants with aphantasia reported significant difficulty with face recognition and that their autobiographical memories were less vivid and detailed than people with visual imagery.
How does Heba describe the effect of Aphantasia on her episodic memory, semantic memory and ability to visualise the future?
1 mark for an appropriate anterograde symptom/example. must be an example for instance, remembering someone 's name whom they just met.
1 mark identification of hippocampus being damaged/degenerated
1 mark identification of the role of hippocampus in Alzheimer’s disease patients who have difficulty consolidating explicit/declarative/semantic/episodic memories (1 mark)
Learning Activity 3.2.7
Learning Activity 3.2.7
Explain what aphantasia is and discuss potential challenges someone with this condition might face in terms of episodic memory. How might their experience of recalling past events differ from someone without aphantasia?
What are the primary biological changes observed in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s Disease? How do these changes relate to the symptoms observed in the disease?
A teacher discovers that one of their students has aphantasia, a condition where the person is unable to visualize mentally. Given that many standard learning activities rely on visual imagery (e.g., visualizing historical events, solving geometry problems by picturing shapes), discuss strategies the teacher could employ to support this student's learning. Include at least three distinct strategies and explain why each would be effective given the student's condition.
3.2.7 Answers
3.2.7 Answers
Aphantasia is a condition where a person is unable to visualize images mentally. This can impact episodic memory, which is often reliant on visual and sensory re-experiencing of past events. Individuals with aphantasia might find it challenging to recall past events with vividness or in detail, relying more on factual descriptions of past experiences rather than sensory re-experiencing.
The primary biological changes in Alzheimer's Disease include the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques outside neurons and neurofibulary tangles inside neurons. These changes disrupt cell function and lead to cell death, correlating with symptoms such as memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioural changes.
To support a student with aphantasia, a teacher can:
Utilise Verbal Explanations: Increase use of verbal instructions and auditory materials like discussions and audiobooks, which don’t rely on visual imagery.
Incorporate Tactile Learning Materials: Use physical models and tactile resources (e.g., 3D geometric shapes or textured maps) to facilitate understanding of spatial and abstract concepts.
Enhance Conceptual Descriptions: Provide detailed descriptions and logical explanations for topics that typically require visualization, helping the student grasp concepts through words and logic rather than visual aids.
Adapt Assessment Methods: Modify assessments to focus more on verbal or written explanations rather than visual-based questions, ensuring fair evaluation of the student’s understanding.
Page updated
Report abuse