Psychology – A Level content progression | e-Consult
A Level content progression (1 questions)
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Contributions
- Provided the first clear evidence for the distinction between short‑term (working) memory and long‑term declarative memory.
- Demonstrated that the hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new explicit memories but not for procedural learning.
- Supported the multi‑store model of memory (sensory, short‑term, long‑term) and later the modal model.
- Inspired neuropsychological approaches and the use of lesion studies to map cognitive functions.
Limitations
- Single‑case design limits generalisability to the broader population.
- HM’s brain damage was extensive (bilateral medial temporal lobe), making it difficult to isolate the role of the hippocampus alone.
- Potential confounding factors such as medication effects and post‑surgical complications.
- Ethical concerns about invasive surgery for research purposes would not be permissible today.
In summary, HM’s case remains a cornerstone for cognitive psychology, illustrating how specific brain structures underpin distinct memory processes, yet the findings must be interpreted with caution due to the inherent constraints of single‑case neuropsychology.