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Transcript

Triangulation

Results of Surgery

Bibliography

McLeod, S. (2011). Anterograde Amnesia. Retrieved August 28, 2016, from Simply Psychology, http://www.simplypsychology.org/anterograde-amnesia.html

Squire, L. R. (2009). The legacy of patient H.M. For Neuroscience. Neuron, 61(1), 1–6. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2008.12.023

The Case Study of HM

  • The research involving HM can be classified as case study involving:
  • Observation
  • Interviews
  • Surveys/questionnaires
  • and psychological testing
  • As no independent variable was been manipulated, the research can not be classified as an experiment. As Scoville was unaware at the time of HM's surgery that it would alter HM's memory, resulting in severe anterograde amnesia
  • Triangulation•is a multi-method and/or multi-approach way to study human behaviour
  • • Multi-method - Multiple research methods
  • • Multi-approach - Multiple theories used
  • In the case of HM theory triangulation as used in particular. With throughout the decades of studying HM, theories regarding memory were constantly developed and altered according to the researchers findings in relation to HM.

Anterograde amnesia refers to loss of memory for events after an incident (McLeod, 2011).

Through the surgery the researchers were able to conclude that there is a strong connection between the hippocampus and a persons STM - LTM. As well as Declarative memory.

As HM's Procedural memory (e.g. playing the piano, riding a bike) was relatively intact, but had severe damage to his ability to form new declarative memories.

Throughout time they found he was able to maintain preexisting procedural memories. As well as form new procedural memory with the ability to retain for multiple days. However, struggled to recall learning these new procedural motor skills.

Through this further development by researcher were able to conclude that the hippocampus and relating areas of the brain play an integral part in forming new declarative memories. However, procedural memories are stored in other parts of the brain also. Allowing for anterograde amnesia patients such as HM to still perform procedural memory tasks such as motor skills.

Strengths

Ethical Considerations

  • Study could not be repeated, as by doing so, the researcher would almost be guaranteeing a permanent inability to produce new declarative memories. Essentially ending that person's ability to ever lead a normal life again.
  • With this, as HM was a one of case study. The overall generalisability of the findings is limited in giving concrete findings that are applicable to the general population.
  • Due to HM's severe memory loss condition, his ability to fully consent to all research regarding him and his condition is limited. Coupled with his inability to be aware of other contribute factors to the results of the study, including his level of fatigue or possibly hunger. That could have altered his ability to concentrate, and hence the results gathered.
  • The case study used triangulation - Theory Triangulation
  • HM was studied throughout numerous decades with the involvement of numerous researchers. Resulting in more credible and reliable results.
  • Multifaceted approach revealed the effect of biological factors on human behaviour and processes of the human brain.

HM

Henry Molaison, the neurosurgery patient that shaped modern memory psychology. The results of his radical brain surgery provided the basis of modern understanding of how memory is formed and stored within the human brain.

  • HM - Henry Molaison (1926-2008)
  • Had been suffering epileptic fits since the age of 16.
  • At 27 he underwent radical surgery in order to attempt to cure his epilepsy.
  • His hippocampus was removed.
  • He was left with anterograde amnesia.
  • His memory prior to the surgery was relativity normal but could not form new declarative memories post surgery.
  • Unable to transfer new factual information between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM).

Limitations

Key Researchers

  • One of case study, can not be repeated. Due to HM's case being extremely rare. As well as due t the extreme unethical nature of the study, with psychologist now having the knowledge that the hippocampus is integral in producing declarative memories.
  • Limited generalisability to general population as HM was a one of patient and example of one of purest cases of severe memory impairment conditions.
  • Inability to confirm that hippocampus is soley responsible for declarative memory.
  • William Scoville - Neurosurgeon that performed the radical brain surgery on HM. Involving a bilateral medial temporal lobe resection in an attempt to control epileptic seizures
  • Brenda Milner - Psychologist completing her doctoral research at the time of HM's surgery (1952). She was involved in case studies previously regarding severe memory impairment. Invited by Scoville to study HM in Hartford Connecticut. She was the key researcher in HM's journey.
  • Corkin - involved in gathering the first MRI images of HM's brain (Corkin et al, 1997). Leading to further development and understanding of his anterograde amnesia.
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