Our Mind, Our Memory

Machines is an integral part of our lives. It provides us with knowledge, service and comfort and we are dependent on machines to prolong the Human Race. Our Memory works like a machine and has been key to our survival for the over the past 2 centuries. The function of memory dates to when there was no technology and we had to remember where the safest spot is away from the predators and it allows us to remember what we need to do for work and if we don't remember we can get fired then no money and suddenly, the life we worked so hard for goes down the drain. Memory prevents this negative chain of events and grants the positive chain of events like remembering to buy a gift for someone and you both have a happy and long-lasting memory of that day. Often, we take our ability to remember granted and we don't know how extraordinary our mind is at processing information, considering crucial variables and producing a result. Memory is the device that organises the world for you.

 

This blog post, we will travel deep into the science behind memory, learn how we can utilise memory to our advantage. 

 

 

Multi-Store Memory Model

Memory is broken down into a simple model

 

This model is developed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968. For memory to go into storage (long term memory) it needs to pass 3 stages: Sensory Register; Short-Term Memory and Long-Term Memory. 

 

 Sensory Memory 

We constantly are receiving information. Our mind processes information which is received by stimuli from the environment via the senses. This can anything like a sound we hear or tiny movements detected by the retina. Then decides whether it is valuable enough or not- that is the main principle of it. If we find it valuable it moves into the short-term memory, if we don't then it gets discarded. All this process is non-stop and and information is held inside for a maximum of 0.5 seconds. This process happens so fast, it is unnoticeable. 

 

Short-Term Memory (STM)

Short-term memory is the processing section out of the three we have. It processes information from the sensory information and retrieves information from the long-term memory and connects with cognitive functions with the brain to allow you to do daily tasks such as swimming or recognizing if a car or motor bike's engine is on. It is integral in our lives as this allows us to utilize memory. Think of it as a word document, once you open it, then you can use its functions and information inside and if you don't save it, it's lost. Information in STM lasts for 18-20 seconds and can hold up 5,7 or 9 pieces of information and if we find it valuable, it will move to the long-term memory and we can use the information again or it will get discarded. 

 

Simple ways we can improve STM 

The reason why we may have poor STM is because of distractions, or lack of focus. This causes us to not focus on the thing we want because we are preoccupied on something else. There are unique ways to improve this:

1. Associate a memory with an action- with more memory connections, it tells our brain this information is valuable and stores it into long-term memory. This can be as simple of clenching a fist or tapping your heels twice. 
2. Chewing Gum while learning- this is proven to help with memory. Maybe we should be allowed to have gum around schools’ offices. 
3. Move your sides from side to side- this activates both sides of the hemisphere and maintains focus.

 

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

The final part of the Multi-Store Memory Model. Think of the long-term memory as OneDrive or Drive- anything with unlimited capacity. Whenever we want to use this information, Our Mind moves it back into the Short-Term memory to be worked. 

However you must be thinking if our LTM has unlimited capacity, how come we don't remember everything. This is because the memory isn’t as strong as each other. Things we find important or recited often will have a strong connection and will stick to in our LTM and memories that have a weaker connection, it will slowly go ahead if not addressed to. For example, you can remember facts like what the capital of the UK is but most likely find it more difficult to remember what you eaten a day ago. 

Weaker memories can be triggered by memory cues. It helps you remember memories. So if you want to know what food you had yesterday, you can start by remembering what you did before, what ingredients you bought, and this simple technique is used during interrogation when the investigator is trying to find information from the person they summoned. Small techniques will produce the bigger picture you are looking for. 

 

The LTM is divided into many sections. The 2 main sections are: Explicit and Implicit Memory. 

 

Explicit Memory 

This is known as the declarative memory and remembers facts and knowledge. We have to consciously recall this. Here it is further divided into 2 more sections.

Semantic	Episodic
·        Knowledge about words/concepts ·        Language based knowledge ·        Eg: What is democracy? Or What is the longest river? Or Who is the monarch?	Information about events personally experienced          The who, what, when, where, why of the event          Recalling of visual and feelings of it

 

Implicit Memory 

This is known as the procedural memory. Memories stored here are learned from behaviours and we retrieve it unconsciously. It is how we perform actions such as breathing or walking. It stores the mind to muscles connection. Another example is swimming (if you know how to swim), we will remember how to function arms, legs and how to breathe. You won't fail how to do it even if you don't swim for ages because there is the mind to muscle connection formed in your Implicit Memory which is in the Long-Term Memory. 

 

Simple ways we can improve Long-Term Memory 

The key to improving memory is strengthening the connections inside your brain. Like we said, the stronger the connection, it is considered valuable and gets stored longer. Often, we need memory hacks to help us study or remember essential information. There are ways to strengthen connections and help you retrieve information. 

1. Rehearsal- by actively recalling information strengthens the connection of the memory and embedding it inside your memory store. 
2. Relate information to things you already know- this creates more links to the memory, by establishing relationships between new ideas and existing memories can exponentially improve your memory. 
3. Read information outload- this is known as the production effect. By speaking and hearing oneself triggers more areas of the brain to be active and helps information to stick. You can do this by talking to yourself or teaching other concepts as it helps you understand what you have learnt and find ways to improve. 

 

Memory is an outlandish tool we have. We will never truly unlock our full capabilities because like everything else, it has its limitations. One way to go about this is thinking about the butterfly effect, if we didn't remember a certain piece of information, we wouldn't have used it and the chain of effects after would have been diametrically opposed. We covered how memory works and ways to improve it. We often take memory for granted and don't apricate how reliant we are.  

Remember- the butterfly effect