How Memory is Gained

In the previous 3 articles, we took a look at what memory is and how it functions. In this article, we will look at how our brain actually acquires, then consolidates and finally retrieves the information that it has placed in our memory.

1. Acquisition

Any new information that enters the brain will go along the pathways between the neurons and those areas where it needs to be stored. In order for our brains to encode this information, your memory needs to concentrate, and unless you can focus intently on the information that you are trying to memorize, you will find that as the old saying goes “it goes in one ear and out the other”. This is why many teachers will often be found pushing their students to actually pay attention to what they are being taught during their lessons.

2. Consolidation of Memories

Because you have concentrated on encoding the new information in your brain, the hippocampus will now send a signal to it to store this information as a long term memory. You will find that this happens more easily when the information you’re retaining relates to something that you already know about, or if it happens to stimulate an emotional response in you.

Biological Aspects Of The Brain

Today we will elaborate the gist of the physical aspect of the brain.The other type of long term memory that we all have is known as procedural memory and this is where your memory will recall skills or routines that you use so that you do not have to consciously need to recall them.

There are certain parts of the brain which are especially important in relation to not only the formation, but also the retention of memories, and these are as shown below.

Hippocampus – This is found deep in the human brain, and plays the largest role in the brain processing information as memory.

Amygdala – This is an almond shaped piece of the brain which is found close to the hippocampus and processes a person’s emotions. This particular area helps to imprint memories into the brain which involve emotions.

Cerebral Cortex – This is the outer layer of the human brain, and is where most long term memory is stored in various different sectors. It will all depend on where particular memories are stored, as to what process the information involves. So language will be stored in one sector, sensory input into another, problem solving into yet another sector and so on.

As well as the above, the memory also involves communication occurring between the brains various network of neurons and cells (millions of which are activated by chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters).

Short Term Memory And Long Term Memory

In order to improve its function the mind also need to be exercised. We know that in order to gain muscular strength we need to exercise, well the same goes for actually increasing our ability to remember things. Our brain needs exercise, as well as being nurtured. So our diet needs to be good, and you need to look at taking up much healthier habits.

Unfortunately, because our brains are so complex, they need a lot of effort in order to get them in the best shape possible. There are a number of things that you can look at doing which will help you improve the capacity of the retrieval mechanism in your brain. But first, let us take a look at how it is we remember things.

To put it in simple terms, our memory is the activity carried out in our brain to recall information that we have gained through experiences in our lives. However, it is a complex process which involves various parts of the brain, and serves us all in very different ways. It can either be short term or long term.

With short term memory, you will find that your brain is able to store certain pieces of information for only a few seconds or minutes. Unfortunately, the problem with this memory is that it is very fragile, and if it were to retain all the information it receives, your brain would soon be telling you that it has no more space. Plus, each person’s short term memory is only meant to hold around 7 items at any one time, and this is why, although you may be able to remember a new telephone number for a few minutes, you will often find that when you are going to buy something online with your credit card, you need it beside you, because it actually has more than 7 items on it.

Long term memory is all to do with the information that you are making an effort to retain, both consciously and unconsciously. This is because the information may be particularly personal and meaningful to you, or it is because it is something that you need in order to complete a task or to take some exams. However, there is some information that you retain in your long term memory which will need you to make a conscious effort in order to recall it, such as a personal memory which relates to a specific experience or time in your life, known as episodic memory, or it may be some factual data that you need to recall, and this is known as semantic memory.

How To Improve Our Memory

We all want a powerful super memory. This site will try to provide you with all the essential facts, tips and techniques to fullfill your desire to understand the finer points of a powerful memory.

Minds experts and scientists told us that we just do not have the ability to recall facts, images or events perfectly as if we had a photographic memory. Unfortunately, although people may say that they do have a photographic memory; this simply isn’t true, as it does not exist.

But do not worry as through this article we will show you the steps that you can take to help improve your memory. In fact, with a little time and a lot of practice, many people are able to gain the ability to memorize what seems to be an impossible amount of data and information.

Even if you just want to remember where you actually left your keys from the night before, then this article should be able to help you.