Transcript Memory Retrieval

How Do We Make
Memory
Our memory helps make us who we are.
It provides us with a sense of self and
makes up our continual experience of
life.
Memory
From fondly recollecting childhood
events to remembering where we left
our keys.
Memory plays a vital role in every
aspect of our lives.
Memory
It'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.
Memory
Memories 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.
O Damage to both sides of the hippocampus can
stop the ability to form new memories, known
as anterograde amnesia
Memory In
the Brain
O Functioning of the hippocampus can also
decline with age.
O By the time people reach their 80s, they may
have lost as much as 20 percent of the nerve
connections in the hippocampus.
O While not all older adults exhibit this neuron
loss, those who do show decreased
performance on memory tests.
Memory in the brain
O The amount of information stored in short-term
memory is limited.
O There are strategies for increasing the amount
of information you store in short-term
information.
Memory in the brain
O See this in action for yourself by trying out this
short-term memory experiment.
O Spend 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
O What is the best way to remember
something?
a) Studying
b) Being tested
O It turns out that it is testing!!!!
Improve Your Memory
Do 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 Memory
O Utilizing technology to keep track of
information.
O Tools such as hand-held mobile devices
O Online reminder calendars
O Reminder App on your phone
Improve Your Memory
O Taking a "mental picture" can help.
O Make a mental note of things you
often forget
O Use memorization techniques.
O Rehearse information
O Use 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.
O 1 failure to retrieve the information from
memory.
This often occurs when memories are rarely
accessed, causing them to decay over time.
Forgetfulness
2 interference, which occurs when some
memories compete with other memories.
Forgetfulness
O 3 Failing to store the memory
O 4 Intentionally forgetting
Forgetfulness
O Amnesia: 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.
Forgetfulness
O Common causes of amnesia
include:
Trauma:
Forgetfulness
O Common causes of amnesia
Drugs: Medications can be used to cause
temporary amnesia, particularly during medical
procedures.
O Once the drugs wear off, the individual's
memory returns to
normal 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
O Why does smell seem to act as such a powerful
memory trigger?
O 1 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.
O 2 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
O 3 the actual ability to smell is linked to
memory. When memory are damaged, the
ability to identify smells is damaged.
O 4 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
O Memorization and smell have been linked.
O If you smell something while you study, that
smell will help you remember it on the test.
Making Memories
O Researchers have long believed that changes
in brain neurons are associated with the
formation of memories.
Making Memories
O Today, most experts believe that memory creation is
associated with the strengthening of existing
connections or the growth of new connections
between neurons.
Making Memories
O The 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 Memories
Weakening of synapses due to diseases or
neurotoxins is associated with cognitive
problems, memory loss, changes in mood, and
other alterations in brain function.
Making Memories
So what can you do to strengthen your synapses?
O Avoid stress: Stress can actually interfere with
neurotransmitter function and shrinks neurons
in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
O Avoid drugs, alcohol, and other neurotoxins:
Drug use and excessive alcohol consumption
have been linked to synaptic weakening.
Making Memories
O Get Plenty of Exercise: Regular physical activity
help get oxygen to the brain.
O Stimulate your brain: Engage in mentally
stimulating activities.
Age and Memory
O While Alzheimer's disease and other age-
related memory problems affect many older
adults, the loss of memory during old-age might
not occur.
O First, there is a genetic component to memory
retention during old age.
O Secondly, lifestyle choices are also believed to
play an important role.
Age and Memory
O So what are some steps you can take to slow
the negative effects of aging?
O When you are aging it is important to have a
strong sense of control over your life and
destiny.
O Avoid stress
O Stay active
O Remain mentally engaged
Memory Retrieval
O Once information has been
stored in memory, it must
be retrieved in order to be
used.
O Memory 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 Basics
O So 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-inthe-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 Retrieval
Have 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 adults
Even 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.