Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the gradual loss of memory and personality traits. Cognitive function deteriorates over time and affects a person’s quality of life, as well as his or her ability to remember. More specifically, Alzheimer’s disease affects one’s ability to recall specific types of memory, including those of an implicit nature. Implicit memories are those that are subconsciously stored and later retrieved throughout the lifespan with relative ease. Examples include, but are not limited to: learning to ride a bike, or tying one’s shoes. These are abilities that may or may not require a great deal of learning, and they are also more difficult to explain to others with regards to the actual process that goes in to carrying out the behavior, as opposed to declarative memories which are memories of facts, events, or occurrences. Alzheimer’s has been shown to adversely affect one’s memory storage in very complex ways. Some may experience anterograde amnesia in which the person has difficulty creating new memories, while others may experience retrograde amnesia in which they have trouble recalling events or situations that have already happened. The purpose of this study was to observe a patient with Alzheimer’s disease and determine how well he or she was able to retrieve implicit memories through completion of everyday tasks. It was discovered that tasks that required greater physical effort were less likely to be completed than those that were quicker to carry out.

Recommended Citation

Wilson, Darren (2015) "Memory Patterns in a Dementia Patient," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 17, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss17/7