Theme 3: Semantic Memory
Baddeley et al. (2015): Chapter 7: Semantic Memory and Stored Knowledge
Semantic vs Episodic Memory
Episodic Semantic
contain specific info about when and lacks such contextual information
where memories were formed
Retrieval requires conscious effort Retrieval isn’t effortful
Hippocampal amnesia: impaired episodic Semantic dementia: degeneration of the
memory anterior temporal lobes
Personal semantics: aspects of autobio memory combining elements of EM & SM.
Semanticisation: EMs changing into SMs over time
→ these 2 show that EM and SM are separate but still interdependent systems
Concept Organisation: Theoretical Views
a. Hierarchical Network Theory
SM is organised into a series of hierarchical networks. Property info is stored as high up
the hierarchy as possible to minimise the amount of info needing to be stored in SM
Theory states that speed of processing increases with the number of levels (e.g. canary
= animal ⇒ slower than bird = animal)
Limitations:
- Familiarity explains processing speed, not
the distance between the concept and its
property
- Typicality effect also counters theory
- Falsely assumes that concepts belong to
rigidly defined categories (they dont bc of
ambiguity & vagueness)
Baddeley et al. (2015): Chapter 7: Semantic Memory and Stored Knowledge
Semantic vs Episodic Memory
Episodic Semantic
contain specific info about when and lacks such contextual information
where memories were formed
Retrieval requires conscious effort Retrieval isn’t effortful
Hippocampal amnesia: impaired episodic Semantic dementia: degeneration of the
memory anterior temporal lobes
Personal semantics: aspects of autobio memory combining elements of EM & SM.
Semanticisation: EMs changing into SMs over time
→ these 2 show that EM and SM are separate but still interdependent systems
Concept Organisation: Theoretical Views
a. Hierarchical Network Theory
SM is organised into a series of hierarchical networks. Property info is stored as high up
the hierarchy as possible to minimise the amount of info needing to be stored in SM
Theory states that speed of processing increases with the number of levels (e.g. canary
= animal ⇒ slower than bird = animal)
Limitations:
- Familiarity explains processing speed, not
the distance between the concept and its
property
- Typicality effect also counters theory
- Falsely assumes that concepts belong to
rigidly defined categories (they dont bc of
ambiguity & vagueness)
