Memory
editMemory is the process in which the brain takes information from outside events and stimuli, encodes it and then stores it for later use. This creates memories which is what allows us to recall what has happened in our lives and is what we rely on when making decisions even subconsciously.
The brain creates these memories through sorting which incoming stimuli is important by seeing if they fall under certain conditions Urgency, Repetition and Association[1]. The brain will then signal to mRna from the Arc gene to create Arc proteins which reinforce the synapses between neurons[2].
Types
editMemories are split into different types the most common being Short and Long term memory. The main difference between the two is how long the brain stores these memories. Long term memories are formed when the brain finds the short term memory as useful[3]. Otherwise memories allotted to short term tend to be lost in 20 to 30 seconds and contains average four pieces of information. The brain is then remapped and signals between neurons are formed or refined to create a long term memory. The places where long- and short- term memory are held are also different. Short term memories are formed in the Hippocampus and then possibly sent to the Cerebral Cortex for long term holding[3]
The Process of Remembering
editThe brain is an amazing organ and is able to activate sets of neurons on command to access required information. This process is known as Synapse Plasticity, and is where the brain activates different neuron ensembles[4]. The brain has two ways of activating synapse plasticity consisting of thoughts or outside events. This splits memories into two more types of Voluntary and Involuntary. This involuntary memory is what can cause things like PTSD
How are Memories Lost
editThe loss of memories is caused when the neural synapse is lost but the reason why this may happen is unknown. Two theories for this are Interference and Decay theories.[3] The decay theory suggests that when not repeatedly used a connection fades and is lost, while the interference theory states that new synapses come and replace older ones.[3] However, there is heavy correlation in many other aspects which cause these neural synapses to be lost more frequently such as: drugs, alcohol, deficiency in vitamin b12 or sleep and illnesses such as Alzheimers etc.
Connections to Other Mental Features
editDreams are experienced during sleep and are mental activities or images. There is no known meaning or cause for dreams but some theories do connect both memory and dreams. These theories believe that dreams are a recollection of events that happened in the day or that brain is using that time to organise the memories that were gathered in the day.
Deja vu is another confusing event which occurs to many people. This is where you may experience something for what feels like a second time although that is physically impossible. The reason for this occurrence is also unknown but some theories do suggest that it could be an error in the brains organisation, such as a short term memory being recalled as long term, or that it is the brain in the process of correcting itself.[5]
Trauma is also another interesting topic relating to memory. People who have experienced trauma may be likely to be unable to recall events that have happened by the process of trauma blocking. This is likely a survival method to protect oneself and something the brain engineered into itself to cope with psychologically threatening events. These memories may resurface in the future of could possibly be held down for the rest of your life.[6]
How can Memory be Improved
editIt was mentioned previously that urgency, association and repetition are key conditions for the brain to create a long-term memory from a short term memory. An investigation into these three was conducted using the story recall method and found the following. From 8 respondents urgency tended to decrease the brains ability to remember. This urgency was created through use of a timed reading which allowed the brain less time to comprehend what it was reading. The repetition was the second-best method as after reading the story three times correct responses were seen more often in 7 out of 8 respondents. The best method was association and after only reading the story once the brain was easily able to remember what happened when prompted through multiple choice questions. Therefore, the best ways to increase memory would be to attempt to create connections between one thing and another, repeat the attempted memorisation and allow yourself to correctly comprehend what was experienced or trying to be remembered.
- ^ https://gretchenschmelzer.com/blog-1/2015/1/11/understanding-learning-and-memory-the-neuroscience-of-repetition#:~:text=There%20are%20only%20three%20ways
- ^ https://einsteinmed.edu/news/10988/einstein-researchers-discover-how-long-lasting-memories-form-in-the-brain/#:~:text=They
- ^ a b c d https://lesley.edu/article/stages-of-memory
- ^ https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain-basics/memory/how-are-memories-formed#:~:text=In%20other%20words%2C%20recalling%20a
- ^ https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/deja-vu
- ^ https://casapalmera.com/blog/how-trauma-affects-your-memory/