Memories that are episodic are usually based on events in people’s lives however over time they move over to Semantic memory as the events association diminishes and the memory becomes “knowledge” based. The strength of episodic memories is determined by the emotions present at the time the memory is being coded, “traumatic life events may be recalled better due to the strong emotional attachment they have and it is believed that episodic memory is what helps us distinguish between our imagination and real events. The pre-frontal cortex of the brain is linked to the initial coding of episodic memories and consolidation and storage associated with the neocortex.

knowledge, facts, concepts and meanings the individual has learnt e.g. the capital of France is Paris. Semantic memory may also relate to how certain objects work, their functions, and appropriate behaviour in situations or abstract concepts such as language or mathematics. The strength of semantic memory is positively correlated with the strength of processing that occurs when coding with semantic memories lasting longer than die memories. Semantic LTM is linked to episodic LTM with semantic memories formed based on experiences that occur. Therefore episodic memory underpins semantic memory with episodic based experiences moving over to semantic memory over time. Semantic coding is mainly associated with the frontal and temporal lobes although some argue the hippocampus is involved while others believe several parts of the brain play a role.

skill based memory and focused on recalling how to do something i.e. swimming, reading or cycling and does not require conscious thought. Procedural memories are usually learnt through repetition and practice. Language is believed to be a procedural memory as it helps individuals speak using the correct grammar and syntax without having to consciously give this thought. Procedural LTM is linked to the neocortex brain areas within the primary motor cortex, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. This is different to declarative memory stores as it does not rely on the hippocampus to function.

Research evidence supports the case for their being 3 different memory stores associated with the LTM. Brain scans have shown 3 distinct areas being active with the hippocampus and other parts of the temporal lobe such as the frontal lobe associated with episodic memory. Semantic memory has been associated with activity in the temporal lobe while procedural memory associated with the cerebellum and motor cortex. This supports theories for 3 distinct stores of long-term memory as theories suggest.

A weakness with this study Is It Is based on a single individual therefore making it difficult to generalise the findings to the wider population as deficits in memory may be unique to this one person.