The Process of Memory
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When a memory is created it goes through three main steps that will ensure that it can be recalled later. These three steps are encoding, storage and retrieval. Here is a general overview of this process.
Encoding
The first thing that happens when a memory is created is perception. When an event or item is perceived it needs to be transformed into something that can be stored in the brain and can be understood. After the item is perceived neurons start to fire more quickly and as this happens signals get sent to the hippocampus to be interpreted. The hippocampus is an area in the brain that is a very important part of creating and sorting memories.
The hippocampus receives signals of information. It later decides whether the information will be stored in long-term memory. Another important function of the hippocampus is that it connects several memories into one to form an episode. This would combine the information from several senses such as what you saw, heard and smelled at a certain time to form a complete and detailed recollection.
There are 3 main types of encoding regarding the senses used:
Acoustic Encoding: Acoustics refers to any sounds.
Visual Encoding: Visual Encoding is anything that was seen, such as images or pictures.
Semantic Encoding: This type of encoding includes the meaning of items perceived. The meaning is put into context so that it can make sense.
Storage
The second stage of memory is storage. In this stage the memory that was perceived and analyzed is saved in the brain. Also, at this stage the brain re-wires itself as the new memory gets sorted.
Consolidation
Within the first few hours of the memory being formed the synapses and the system consolidates. Synaptic Consolidation is when the synapses strengthen their connections and re-wire based on new information received. System Consolidation on the other hand happens within weeks to years of a memory being created and after this amount of time the memory becomes independent of the hippocampus. The brain is a constantly working organ that often
re-organizes itself as new information is received. This process happens mostly during sleep; therefore it is highly important to get enough sleep so connections between new information can be created successfully.
Storage
The aim of the storage stage is to properly save information so that it can be retrieved later. This does not happen like a computer where a file is saved and then can be opened at any time. Memories are saved within the neurons, which are connected by an array of synapses. These connections get stronger as they are used more often. So when a memory is repeated or rehearsed several times it becomes stronger.
Recall/Retrieval
This stage is where the memory is re-accessed by going through the neural pathways that connect to the memory. As mentioned earlier, when a memory is rehearsed often, recall will happen more quickly as the connection is much stronger. When remembering an event or item that is not present, sounds or writing are less likely to create a stable memory than when there is meaning in the memory. This makes it much more durable and is more likely to be recalled. Therefore when studying it is important to completely understand the meaning of a word or fact so that it can be recalled successfully later.
Encoding
The first thing that happens when a memory is created is perception. When an event or item is perceived it needs to be transformed into something that can be stored in the brain and can be understood. After the item is perceived neurons start to fire more quickly and as this happens signals get sent to the hippocampus to be interpreted. The hippocampus is an area in the brain that is a very important part of creating and sorting memories.
The hippocampus receives signals of information. It later decides whether the information will be stored in long-term memory. Another important function of the hippocampus is that it connects several memories into one to form an episode. This would combine the information from several senses such as what you saw, heard and smelled at a certain time to form a complete and detailed recollection.
There are 3 main types of encoding regarding the senses used:
Acoustic Encoding: Acoustics refers to any sounds.
Visual Encoding: Visual Encoding is anything that was seen, such as images or pictures.
Semantic Encoding: This type of encoding includes the meaning of items perceived. The meaning is put into context so that it can make sense.
Storage
The second stage of memory is storage. In this stage the memory that was perceived and analyzed is saved in the brain. Also, at this stage the brain re-wires itself as the new memory gets sorted.
Consolidation
Within the first few hours of the memory being formed the synapses and the system consolidates. Synaptic Consolidation is when the synapses strengthen their connections and re-wire based on new information received. System Consolidation on the other hand happens within weeks to years of a memory being created and after this amount of time the memory becomes independent of the hippocampus. The brain is a constantly working organ that often
re-organizes itself as new information is received. This process happens mostly during sleep; therefore it is highly important to get enough sleep so connections between new information can be created successfully.
Storage
The aim of the storage stage is to properly save information so that it can be retrieved later. This does not happen like a computer where a file is saved and then can be opened at any time. Memories are saved within the neurons, which are connected by an array of synapses. These connections get stronger as they are used more often. So when a memory is repeated or rehearsed several times it becomes stronger.
Recall/Retrieval
This stage is where the memory is re-accessed by going through the neural pathways that connect to the memory. As mentioned earlier, when a memory is rehearsed often, recall will happen more quickly as the connection is much stronger. When remembering an event or item that is not present, sounds or writing are less likely to create a stable memory than when there is meaning in the memory. This makes it much more durable and is more likely to be recalled. Therefore when studying it is important to completely understand the meaning of a word or fact so that it can be recalled successfully later.