Question

Angie can type on a computer with near perfection but she cannot tell you what letters are on each key. What part of memory allows her to type with perfection?

a semantic memory

b episodic memory

c the hippocampus

d procedural memory

Answer 1

Angie is able to type with precision thanks to procedural memory, which is the type of long-term memory that operates without one's conscious awareness, allowing the execution of skilled tasks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The part of memory that allows Angie to type with near perfection is d procedural memory.

Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory crucial for learning and maintaining skilled tasks like typing without consciously thinking about each key. Unlike episodic memory, which involves recalling past events, or semantic memory, which is about facts and concepts, procedural memory enables individuals to perform actions without conscious awareness of the learned skills. This type of memory is encoded and stored in different brain regions, notably the cerebellum, which is integral in processing procedural memories.

For example, even if Angie can't verbally identify each keyboard letter's position, through repeated practice, her procedural memory allows her to type accurately. The development of this memory is less dependent on the hippocampus — associated with transferring short-term memories into long-term storage — and is more about the gradual buildup of motor skills through repetition and practice, leading to a form of memory that is resilient and reliable.