Tulving (1972) proposed a distinction
between episodic, semantic and
procedural memory. These can be split
into implicit and explicit memories.
Explicit
Memory with awareness that can be consciously recalled.
Implicit
Memory without awareness
Procedural
Implicit
Memory for actions or skills. Can be
recalled without a conscious effort.
Semantic
Explicit
Contains the shared knowledge of the
world. Like how an orange looks. These
memories are not time stamped.
Episodic
Explicit
Refers to the ability to recall events
from our lives. These are time stamped
and will include several elements.
Evaluation
Strengths:
Clinical evidence. Case study of Clive Wearing, an amnesiac
showed that his episodic memory was severely damaged, yet he
still remembered how to read music and play the piano.
Real world application. Belleville et al (2006)
devised an intervention to improve episodic
memory in older people.
Weaknesses:
Conflicting neuroimaging evidence. Buckner and
Peterson (1996) concluded that semantic memory is
located on the left side of the prefrontal cortex and
episodic on the right. This challenges neurophyisological
evidence.