UNDERSTANDING MEMORY

Memories

Like the corners of my mind

Misty watercolor memories

Of the way we were

- Lyrics from "The Way we Were" by Barbra Streisand

As defined in the previous lesson, memory is the ability to recall information acquired as a result of

learning or experiencing. Yet, what we did not explain was how the human process of remembering

bits of information (as well as forgetting) works.

A. Memory: A Four Step Process

Before an experience or piece of information becomes a verified memory, it first must undergo a four

step process:
1. Sensory Memory. In the retention of sensations, sensory memory

captures the look and feel of an image while providing a type of visceral

movement to one's memories.

2. Working Memory. The link between memory and action, working

memory has a limited capacity whereby only seven items fit in this stage

at any given time and those memories in the queue only last for a brief

several minute run. Yet, even though short lived, a memory does not get

passed on into the long term memory stage without first going through the

working memory. Bear in mind, the number seven plays a large role in the

memory equation. For this reason, all methodologies for improving

memory address this figure of limited capacity.

3. Short Term Memory. We all have heard jokes about short term memory,

or often the lack thereof. It is used an excuse for why someone cannot find

their keys or gloves. Basically, short term memory is a holding place where

ideas, thoughts, facts, and others are in limbo before moving on to a more

permanent storage facility (long term memory).

4. Long Term Memory. The site where memories are permanently stored

(or at least significantly longer than short term memory); in this area, the

issue is not with storing memories but in retrieving them.

There are two types of long term memory, explicit memory, involving the subjects' conscious

remembrance of things and facts including recall ability, and implicit memory where the central

ideas are encoded (often experienced unconsciously) and able to be accessed automatically, for

instance, motor skills.

B. Memories: How They Are Made

While for the average person, memory may be a precious piece of our life, for physiologists and

researchers who view memories, it is a pulsating current of energy moving through a network of

neurons.

The network of neurons is, in fact, our brain cells; each of us possess about 100 billion of these

cells. Each neuron is interlinked with other neurons through thread like axons and cord like

dendrites. Within such an interwoven network, where the number of connections is tantamount to

being into the trillions, the number of potential patterns is literally infinite.

These numerical figures then translate to mean that we are neither limited by the number of thoughts

that we can have nor the memories that we can hold.

When we learn something new or take in a new visual image, we experience an energy pulsation

moving through the maze of neurons in our brain creating a mapped route between cells. More

commonly, this mapped route is referred to as a thought.

Yet, this mapped route between and among cells is not linear, rather, due to the possibility of a

signal slipping off at any place along the network, it is more splintered in nature.

Learning takes into account the fact that the new signal follows the established path as opposed to

forging a new one. As greater numbers of signals travel through the network, the routes within the

network become increasingly congested.

Yet, the congestion issue does not affect the retention of memories for they do not have a

designated storage place. Memories are ingrained in the patterns as opposed to the physical cells of

the body.
If required, the brain is able to recreate an old pattern by way of the use of new cells. The reason

this is beneficial is that it allows persons who properly store their memories on the way in, to access

them more effectively on the way out. Think: mnemonics.

Contrary to popular opinion, memories are not stored in an archival type of system like that of a

library or file cabinet. Rather, in order to be retrieved, memories must be reconstructed from bits of

particles located in varying parts of the brain.

For this reason, the storage and retrieval of memories is an ongoing process whereby our neural

pathways and cellular network experience a continual change.

C. Memory: Better Retention and Access

Fortunately for those of us who do regularly cite short term memory loss as a reason for poor

retention abilities, there are ways to improve our memory skills.

Attention.

Though it sounds idyllically simple, the first rule of thumb when learning how to improve your

memory is to become a better viewer and listener.

If you are not paying attention when something is said or in view, and, thus, never exactly clear as to

what was uttered or how something looked, how will you ever recount it at later date?

FBI agents often give rookies a little test whereby they are shown a photograph for a few minutes.

After removing the image, the rookie is then asked to recall (with as much detail as possible) what

was shown. The point of the exercise (along with quizzing their memory) is to assess the rookie's

ability to recall very specific elements based upon a brief viewing period.
Hence, part of the trick the rookie needs to know is what to look for prior to beginning the exercise

(physical characteristics of a person, identifiers of a location, and others) so that they are merely

filling in the blanks during the viewing process.

Repetition.

The second tool you can use is that of repetition or practice. If you repeat a number over and over

again, the likelihood is that it will allow you to recall it when you need it.

Quite rudimentary, if you think back to elementary school, this is the way in which many ideas, like

multiplication tables and state capitols were taught.

D. Encoding Errors and Association

As we stated earlier, the problem in retrieving information is often due to poor encoding of the

memory when it was originally stored. Hence, due to lack of attention, shallow processing, or a

nonexistent frame of reference, a memory may have never found its way into long term memory.

The brain holds onto information much the same way computers store data, by means of links and

slots in which information is kept. And also akin to how computers function, central processing units

within the brain provide access to information.

For the most part, human memory is primarily associative. It is easier to remember information if you

associate it with knowledge that is already firmly entrenched in your memory. For example, if you

live on Hubbard Street and you see a store whose name (Mother's) you want to remember, you may

opt to use the phrase, "Old Mother Hubbard" for then rather than having to recall the store's name

you can simply tell yourself to think of your street, something which holds a personal association for

you.
Hence, the trick with associations is to use something that is as meaningful to you as the piece

which links you back to the item or idea you are trying to remember.

E. Decay Theory

There are those who believe that "if you don't use it, you lose it." When applied to memory, should

you not have a need for certain bits of information, over time, these memories may leave you.

Hence, while seemingly simple, in order to retain or access select memories, you need to regularly

revisit them to keep them fresh and alive in your mind. This then, is the reason many individuals who

have lost a loved one, try to keep them in their memory as they are afraid they will lose the person

for good if they stop remembering them.

F. Repressed Memories

In some instances in which people experience truly traumatic or painful events, they unconsciously

repress the memory of it ever happening. Considered to be one of the baffling concepts in

psychology, repressed memories can lead to psychoses in some individuals for, rather than being

able to directly confront strong issues, they remain in a state of oblivion yet somehow beholden to

and ensnared by their past demons

Psychoanalysis addresses repressed memories often by introducing hypnosis and word association.

G. Mnemonics

Known as the science of remembering, mnemonics is a methodical approach to remembering data.

It proves especially helpful in cases of isolated, obscure details, for these often prove to be the most

difficult to hold in our memory.

Mnemonics is particularly helpful for it entails linking, clumping, and framing information in such a

way that it is meaningful to you (not your neighbor, but yourself).

For example, if you need to memorize the planets in their sequential order you may come up with a

catchy phrase such as: * My (Mercury) Very (Venus) Excellent (Earth) Method (Mars) Just (Jupiter)

Simplified (Saturn) Us (Uranus) Naming (Neptune) Planets (Pluto).*

By taking the first letter of each of the planets (while in their correct order) and assigning it a word,

which when combined with the other associative words, results in a memorable phrase or sentence.

There are many reasons as to why someone would want to improve their memory. In the

professional world, it is considered rude to not introduce people to one another. What happens then

if you are at a loss for a colleague's name or, worse yet, your boss' full name?

If you continually forget people's birthdays or other special occasions this may make you seem like

an uncaring person. Similarly, should you have trouble remembering where you put things; your life

may seem to be unmanageable.

While all of these may seem like minor grievances, they carry with them the possibility of worsening

or, at some point in time, interfering with important matters. Fortunately, in addition to some of the

memory improvement techniques we listed, there are also a host of technological devices such as

Blackberries, Palm Pilots, Internet daily reminders, Outlook, and others to help you get and stay

organized and remind you of important pieces of information.