Chapter 6.3, Problem 2TY

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Procedural memory is a kind of implicit memory as well as long-term memory, which helps in enhancing the performance in various kinds of tasks with no conscious awareness of previous experiences.

The mirror drawing experiment is one eminently employed technique for understanding psychological aspects such as procedural memory itself.

Explanation of Solution

Answer and explanation

Procedure memory is the kind of memory that is involved in doing things, typically including learned skills.

The mirror drawing experiment involves copying a picture one views in the mirror. Patient HM volunteered for this experiment, who was suffering from amnesia, resulted from the removal of his hippocampus. HM became better at mirror drawing but due to his inability to form long-term memories, he always thought as if he was practicing it for the first time.

Patient KC, suffering from an inability to form new long-term memories but could still learn newer skills, learned to sort as well as stack books in the library. He could not remember learning this technique but could still perform that while his performance enhanced with practice.

Patient LSJ, a violinist, could not remember or recollect the practice of music. Although her performance did enhance as she practiced a new musical piece, she had no memory relating to this practice.

Thus, these experiments proved that procedural memory belonged to the unconscious form whereby one learned to do things unconsciously. As implicit memory also involves no conscious awareness, procedural memory is considered one of its forms.