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Memory and consciousness: a selective review of issues and data
1School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, Fife, UK.
Neuropsychologia
|September 1, 1995
Summary
This study explores conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) memory, examining amnesia and recognition memory models. It assesses whether amnesic patients retain familiarity-based recognition memory.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Memory is often divided into conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) systems.
- Amnesia presents a unique challenge to understanding memory fractionation.
- Dual-process models propose distinct mechanisms for recognition memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for dissociating explicit and implicit memory.
- To evaluate how amnesia impacts memory systems.
- To critically assess evidence for spared familiarity-based recognition in amnesia.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of methodologies for separating conscious and unconscious memory.
- Review of recent amnesia research.
- Critical analysis of studies on recognition memory in amnesic patients.
Main Results:
- Amnesia's fractionation along implicit-explicit lines is examined.
- Evidence for dual-process models of recognition memory is presented.
- Data on amnesic patients' familiarity-based recognition is critically assessed.
Conclusions:
- The study synthesizes current understanding of memory dissociation.
- It highlights the complexities of memory deficits in amnesia.
- It questions the extent of preserved familiarity-based recognition in amnesic individuals.