Take a deeper look into human memory (2023)

Memory refers to the psychological processes of acquisition, storage, preservation and subsequent retrieval of information. There are three main processes involved in memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Human memory includes the ability to store and retrieve information. However, this is not a perfect process. Sometimes people forget things or remember the wrong things. In other cases, the information is not correctly encoded in memory.

Memory problems are usually relatively minor annoyances, like forgetting birthdays. However, they can also be a sign of serious diseases such asAlzheimer diseaseand other kinds ofcraziness🇧🇷 These conditions affect the quality of life and the ability to function.

This article describes how memories are formed and why they are sometimes forgotten. It also covers the different types of memory and steps you can take to improve and protect your memory.

how memories are made

To create a new memory, the information must be converted into a usable form, which is done through a process calledcoding🇧🇷 Once the information has been successfully encoded, it must be stored in memory for later use.

Researchers have long believed that memories are formed due to changes in the brain.neurons(neurons). Our current understanding is that memories are created by the connections that exist between these neurons, either by strengthening those connections or by developing new ones.

Because of this, reviewing and practicing the information improves your ability to remember it. Exercise strengthens the connections between the synapses that store this memory.

Much of our stored memory is outside of our awareness most of the time, except when we really need it. The memory retrieval process allows us to consciously perceive stored memories.

How long do the memories last?

You can't discuss what memory is without also discussing how long memories last. Some memories are very brief, just a few seconds, and allow people to take in sensory information about the world.

Short-term memory is a bit longer, lasting about 20-30 seconds. These memories consist primarily of the information that people are focusing on and thinking about at the time.

Some memories can last much longer: days, weeks, months, or even decades. Most of these long-term memories are out of immediate awareness, but can be drawnknowledgeIf required.

use memory

To use information encoded in memory, it must first be retrieved. There are many factors that can affect this process, including the type of information used and any indications of recovery present.

Of course, this process is not always perfect. For example, have you ever felt like the answer to a question was just out of reach? This is an example of a confusing memory retrieval problem known asletologicalor the phenomenon of the tip of the tongue.

organize memory

The ability to access and retrieve information from long-term memory allows us to use those memories to make decisions, interact with others, andsolve problems🇧🇷 But in order to be recoverable, memories must be organized in some way.

One way to think about the organization of memory is the semantic network model. This model proposes that certain triggers activate associated memories.Seeing or remembering a specific place can trigger memories that occurred in that place.

Sometimes certain stimuli can also act as powerful triggers, drawing memories into awareness.Fragranceis an example. Smelling a specific odor, such as perfume or freshly baked cookies, can evoke a surge of vivid memories associated with people and events from a person's past.

To identify an odor, a person must remember when they smelled it before, and then associate it with visual information that occurred at the same time. Therefore, when brain areas associated with memory are damaged, the ability to recognize odors is impaired.

At the same time, the researchers discovered that scents can help trigger autobiographical memories in people with Alzheimer's.This underlines how powerful memories can be.

memory types

Although several different memory models have been proposed, thememory scenario modelit is often used to explain the basic structure and function of memory. Originally proposed by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin in 1968, this theory describes three separate phases omemory types: sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory.

sensory memory

sensory memory It is the initial stage of memory. During this phase, sensory information from the environment is retained for a very short period of time, usually no more than half a second.visual informationand three or four seconds for auditory information.

Humans only pay attention to certain aspects of this sensory memory. Attention to sensory memory allows some of that information to move to the next level: short-term memory.

short term memory

Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is the information that we currently perceive or think about. In Freudian psychology, this memory would be calledknowledge🇧🇷 Attention to sensory memories creates information in short-term memory.

While many of our short-term memories are quickly forgotten, paying attention to this information allows us to move to the next level: long-term memory. Most of the information stored in active memory is retained for about 20-30 seconds.

This ability can be expanded a bit by usingStorage strategies such as fragmentation, where related information is grouped into smaller chunks.

In a famous 1956 article, psychologist George Miller suggested that the short-term memory capacity for storing a list of items is five to nine. Some memory researchers now believe that the true short-term memory capacity is probably closer to four.

long term memory

Long-term memory refers to the continuous storage of information. in thefreudian psychology, long-term memory would be called preconscious andunconsciously.

This information is mostly outside of our awareness, but can be pulled from working memory for use when needed. Some memories are fairly easy to retrieve, while others are much more difficult to access.

why did we forget

Forgetting is a surprisingly common occurrence. Think about how easy it is to forget someone's name or miss an important date. Why do people so often forget information they learned in the past?

There are four basic explanations forbecause forgetfulness happens:

• Failed to save a reminder
• interference
• motivated forgetting
• recovery error

Sometimes the information is simply lost from memory and other times it was never properly memorized. Some memories compete with each other, making it difficult to remember specific information. In other cases, active peopletry to forget thingsThey just don't want to remember.

how to improve memory

No matter how good your memory is, there are probably some things you can do to improve it even more. Helpful strategies for dealing with mild memory loss include:

• write it down: Writing with pencil and paper helps implant memory in your brain, and can also serve as a reminder or reference later.
• give a meaning: You can remember something more easily if you give it meaning. For example, if you associate someone you just met with someone you already know, you may be able to remember that person's name better.
• repeat: Replay helps encrypt memory in addition to short-term memory.
• Group: Categorized information is easier to remember and remember.
• test yourself: While it may seem like studying and practicing information is the best way to ensure you remember it, researchers have found that testing information is actually one of the best waysimprove memory.
• get a mental picture: Trying to systematically remember things you tend to forget (like where you left your car keys) can help you remember things better.
  
• get enough rest: Investigation also found thissleepplays a crucial role in learning and forming new memories.
• Use memorization techniques.: Rehearsing information, using mnemonics, and other memorization strategies can help combat minor memory problems.
  

How to protect your memory

Although Alzheimer's disease and other age-related memory problems affect many older adults,memory lossit may not be inevitable in later adulthood.Certain abilities decline with age, but researchers have found that people in their 70s often do as well as 20-year-olds on many cognitive tests.

Try some of these lifestyle strategies to protect your brain as you age:

• avoid stress: Research has found that stress can have deleterious effects on memory-related areas of the brain, including the hippocampus.
• Avoid drugs, alcohol and other neurotoxins.:consumption of drugsmiexcessive alcohol consumptionhave been linked to deterioration of synapses (the connections between neurons).Exposure to dangerous chemicals like heavy metals and pesticides can also have damaging effects on the brain.
• move enough:regular physical activityhelps improve oxygenation of the brain, which is vital for the formation and growth of synapses.
• stimulate your brain: When it comes to memory, there's a lot of truth to the old adage "use it or lose it." The researchers found that people who have morementally stimulating jobsless likely to develop dementia.
• Maintain a sense of self-efficacy.: With a strong sense ofself-efficacyit has been linked to maintaining good memory skills into old age.Self-efficacy refers to the sense of control that people have over their own lives and destinies. A strong sense of self-efficacy has also been linked to reduced stress levels.

A word from Verywell

Human memory is a complex process that researchers are still trying to better understand. Our memories make us who we are, but the process is not perfect. While we are capable of retaining an incredible amount of information, we are also prone to memory-related errors and fallacies.