Answer :
Final answer:
Individuals with amnesia typically retain their implicit memory while losing their explicit memory. This reflects the different types of long-term memory, where explicit memory requires conscious recall and implicit memory does not. The case study of H.M. exemplifies this by showing functional implicit memory despite profound loss of explicit memory.
Explanation:
Understanding Amnesia and Memory Types
People with amnesia often retain their implicit memory despite losing their explicit memory. This distinction is fundamental in understanding the types of long-term memory, which are categorized into explicit (declarative) memory and implicit (non-declarative) memory. Explicit memories are those we can consciously recall, such as facts and events, while implicit memories include procedural skills that can be performed without conscious recollection.
For instance, the case of H.M., a famous patient who underwent brain surgery that caused anterograde amnesia, demonstrates this principle clearly. After his surgery, H.M. could not form new explicit memories; he would forget meeting someone moments after their introduction. However, he could still learn new motor skills—for example, he improved his ability to solve puzzles over time, despite having no conscious memory of having worked on the puzzles before.
This preservation of implicit memory illustrates that despite loss in explicit memory capabilities, certain types of memory remain functional in individuals suffering from various forms of amnesia.
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