There are four steps to the memory process. The four steps include encoding, consolidation, storage, and retrieval. Once we perceive a stimulus, it is then decoded within the cortex’s sensory areas. The hippocampus then combines the codes. Memories go from stimuli to the short term memory and are only committed to the long term memory after the synapses have been strengthened enough.
The encoding process produces an engram when it perceives stimuli. An external stimulus could be someone grabbing a hold of your arm and yelling at you. An engram is a change in the neurons of the brain. This change can be biophysical or biochemical. A connection is sent from the primary sensory and associative areas of the cortex and the rhinal/entorhinal cortexes by the hippocampus to the medial temporal lobe. The neural network that is made up of cortical synapses takes the associations being made and records them. This record is now a link to the specific memory. Semantic encoding is the process by which long-term memories are created.
The consolidation process utilizes long-term potentiation. Long-term potentiation is the process that physically changes the structure of neurons in the brain and results in long-term memory. The process causes “a long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously” (Cooke, 2006) . When we learn something the stimuli triggers neural networks to be created, altered, or strengthened. Neural networks are circuits of neurons in the brain made up of neurons. The neurons communicate via junctions known as synapses. New proteins are created inside the body of the neurons through synthesis. “Electrochemical transfer of neurotransmitters across synapse gaps to receptors (reinforce) communicative strength of certain circuits of neurons in the brain” (Mastin, n.d.) . When they are repeatedly used, the synapse becomes more efficient thus physically changed by long-term potentiation resulting in long-term memories.
The storage process is passive. When the synapses are physically changed by long-term potentiation, the memory is stored there. They are continually reconstructed by the encoding process from elements that are scattered throughout other area of the brain. Storage is an ongoing process for our brains.
When you recall a memory, your brain reconstructs the elements required for the individual meeting. The recall process takes the memory from storage in the long-term area and moves it to the working memory. When you re-access the memory, a process almost identical to the encoding process occurs. When you are done recalling, it is taken back to storage in the long-term memory. This is known as re-consolidation.
Inferences can help people to improve their ability to learn. This involves relating other things that you already know, your schema, to what you are trying to learn. Emotional event are often recalled better than event that have no meaning to a person. Past and future memories can inhibit the ability of a person to recall memories. Distractions inhibit the ability to recall by slowing down the process. Distractions inhibit the ability to encode as well and could keep a person from being able to successfully recall the memory later.
In order to most efficiently be able to study, you should ensure that you have no distractions and are able to focus completely on what you are studying. Focus on concentration is very important as well, as “the ability to concentrate is one of the more important study skills you need to develop” (StudyTips, 2011) . Staying organized can also help to keep you from being distracted. I is also very helpful when studying to try and use all types of memory to retain the information. Use visual aids and sounds when possible, make lists and create flashcards, anything that switches up the way you are studying. That way, you have a better chance of recalling the information because you have multiple locations in your brain that it is being stored and therefore, more chances to recall the info.
Retroactive interference occurs when a person attempts to remember something learned in the past. They end up being unable to recall the memory because something that was learned since that time obstructs the ability to correctly recall what you were initially trying to remember. Proactive interference occurs when a person is trying to recall recently learned material. The memory is unable to be accessed due to memories learned prior prevent it.
Fading is another type of forgetting that people experience. It occurs when we go to recall a memory and are unable to because we have not attempted to remember it for an extended period of time. The information is permanently stored in the brain but our link to it deteriorates. Fading can be avoided by actively restoring the memory.
Distortion is also a common type of forgetting and is “not really a separate type of forgetting, but rather a combination of the previous three types” (Purdue, n.d.) . Distorted memories are misinterpreted by the person attempting to call them. Some of the memory is recalled accurately, while other parts are not. They are either completely forgotten or replaced with different parts of other memories.
References
Cooke. (2006). Oxford Journal. Retrieved from Plasticity in the human central nervous system: http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/129/7/1659
Mastin, L. (n.d.). The Human Brain. Retrieved from Long-Term Memory: http://www.human-memory.net/types_long.html
Purdue. (n.d.). Purdue Education. Retrieved from Forgetting: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/EdPsyBook/Edpsy6/edpsy6_forgetting.htm
StudyTips. (2011). StudyTips.org. Retrieved from How to Improve Your Study Skills: http://www.studytips.org/
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