How Do We Make

MemoryOur memory helps make us who we are.

It provides us with a sense of self and makes up our continual experience of life.

MemoryFrom fondly recollecting childhood events to remembering where we left our keys.Memory plays a vital role in every aspect of our lives.

MemoryIt's easy to think of memory as a mental filing cabinet, storing away bits of information until we need them.

Memory

In reality, it is a remarkably complex process that involves numerous parts of the brain.

MemoryMemories can be vivid and long-lasting, but they are also susceptible to inaccuracies and forgetting.

Memory in the brain

The is a horse-shoe shaped area of the brain.Its Job in memory storage:O Changing short-term memory to

long-term memory. O The hippocampus does this by

forming, organizing, and storing memories.

Memory in the brain

The hippocampus is part of the limbic system. The limbic system is a system associated with emotions and long-term memories.

Memory In the Brain

Because both sides of the brain are symmetrical, the hippocampus can be found in both hemispheres.

Memory In the Brain

O If one side of the hippocampus is damaged or destroyed, memory function will remain nearly normal as long as the other side is undamaged.

ODamage to both sides of the hippocampus can stop the ability to form new memories, known as anterograde amnesia

Memory In the Brain

OFunctioning of the hippocampus can also decline with age.

OBy the time people reach their 80s, they may have lost as much as 20 percent of the nerve connections in the hippocampus.

OWhile not all older adults exhibit this neuron loss, those who do show decreased performance on memory tests.

OThe amount of information stored in short-term memory is limited.

OThere are strategies for increasing the amount of information you store in short-term information.

Memory in the brain

Memory in the brain

OSee this in action for yourself by trying out this short-term memory experiment.

OSpend two minutes memorizing a random list of words, then get a blank piece of paper and try to write down as many of the words that you can remember.

Memory in the brain

OWhat is the best way to remember something?a) Studyingb) Being tested

O It turns out that it is testing!!!!

Improve Your MemoryDo you ever feel like you are constantly forgetting things or misplacing objects that you use every day? Have you ever found yourself walking into a room only to realize that you can't remember why you went in there in the first place?

Improve Your MemoryOUtilizing technology to keep track

of information. OTools such as hand-held mobile

devicesOOnline reminder calendars OReminder App on your phone 

Improve Your Memory

OTaking a "mental picture" can help. OMake a mental note of things

you often forgetOUse memorization

techniques. ORehearse informationOUse mnemonics

Forgetfulness

O In order to combat forgetfulness, it is important to understand some of the major reasons why we forget things

Forgetfulness

Four major reasons why forgetting occurs. O1 failure to retrieve the

information from memory. This often occurs when memories are rarely accessed, causing them to decay over time.

Forgetfulness2 interference, which occurs when some memories compete with other memories.

Forgetfulness

O3 Failing to store the memory

O4 Intentionally forgetting

ForgetfulnessOAmnesia: There are two different

types of amnesia:O Anterograde amnesia: No new

memories. This is the most common type

O Retrograde amnesia: Losing the ability to remember the past. This type is very rare.

ForgetfulnessOCommon causes of amnesia

include:Trauma:

ForgetfulnessOCommon causes of amnesiaDrugs: Medications can be used to cause temporary amnesia, particularly during medical procedures. OOnce the drugs wear off, the

individual's memory returns tonormal functioning.Prescription and non-prescription.

Memory and Your Senses

Have you ever noticed that a particular scent can bring forth a rush of memories?

Memory and Your Senses

OWhy does smell seem to act as such a powerful memory trigger?

O1 the olfactory nerve is located very close to the amygdala, the area of the brain that is connected to the experience of emotion as well as emotional memory.

O2 the olfactory nerve is very close to the hippocampus, which is associated with memory as you learned earlier in this article.

Memory and Your Senses

O3 the actual ability to smell is linked to memory. When memory are damaged, the ability to identify smells is damaged.

O4 in order to identify a scent, you must remember when you have smelled it before and then connect it to visual information that occurred at the same time.

Memory and Your Senses

OMemorization and smell have been linked.

O If you smell something while you study, that smell will help you remember it on the test.

Making MemoriesOResearchers have long believed that

changes in brain neurons are associated with the formation of memories.

Making MemoriesO Today, most experts believe that memory

creation is associated with the strengthening of existing connections or the growth of new connections between neurons.

Making MemoriesOThe connections between nerve cells

are known as synapses, and they allow information carried in the form of nerve impulses to travel from one neuron to the next.

O In the human brain, there are trillions of synapses forming a complex and flexible network that allows us to feel, behave, and think. Changes in the synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus have been connected with the learning and retention of new information.

Making MemoriesWeakening of synapses due to diseases or neurotoxins is associated with cognitive problems, memory loss, changes in mood, and other alterations in brain function.

Making MemoriesSo what can you do to strengthen your synapses?

OAvoid stress: Stress can actually interfere with neurotransmitter function and shrinks neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

OAvoid drugs, alcohol, and other neurotoxins: Drug use and excessive alcohol consumption have been linked to synaptic weakening.  

Making Memories

OGet Plenty of Exercise: Regular physical activity help get oxygen to the brain.

OStimulate your brain: Engage in mentally stimulating activities.

Age and MemoryOWhile Alzheimer's disease and other

age-related memory problems affect many older adults, the loss of memory during old-age might not occur.

OFirst, there is a genetic component to memory retention during old age.

OSecondly, lifestyle choices are also believed to play an important role.

Age and MemoryOSo what are some steps you can take to

slow the negative effects of aging?OWhen you are aging it is important to

have a strong sense of control over your life and destiny.

OAvoid stressOStay activeORemain mentally engaged

Memory Retrieval OOnce information has

been stored in memory, it must be retrieved in order to be used.

OMemory retrieval is important in virtually every aspect of daily life, from remembering where you parked your car to learning new skills.

Memory Retrieval

There are many factors that can influence how memories are retrieved from long-term memory.

In order to fully understand this process, it is important to learn more about exactly what retrieval is as well as the many factors that can impact how memories are retrieved.

Memory Retrieval Memory Retrieval BasicsOSo what exactly is retrieval? Simply put, it is a process of accessing stored memories.

There are 4 basic ways in which information can be pulled from long-term memory.

Memory Retrieval Recall: This type of memory retrieval involves being able to access the information without being cued. For example, answering a question on a fill-in-the-blank test is a good example of recall.Recollection: This type of memory retrieval involves reconstructing memory.For example, writing an answer on an essay exam often involves remembering bits of information. 

Memory Retrieval Recognition: This type of memory retrieval involves identifying information after experiencing it again. For example, taking a multiple-choice quiz requires that you recognize the correct answer.Relearning: This type of memory retrieval involves relearning information that has been previously learned.

Memory Retrieval Problems with RetrievalHave you ever felt like you knew the answer to a question, but couldn't quite remember the information?

You might feel certain that this information is stored somewhere in your memory, but you are unable to access and retrieve it.

Memory Retrieval While it may be irritating or even troubling, these experiences are extremely common, occurring at least once each week for most younger individuals and two to four times per week for elderly adultsEven though memory retrieval is not flawless, there are things that you can do to improve your ability to remember information.Check out some of these great ideas for how to improve your memory.