Human Memory

Understanding How Human Memory Works
Unit 4 Individual Project

Deborah Brice
Aspects of Psychology
Professor Van Cleave
May 6, 2012

The functions of a human brain consist of memory in the way things are thought of and learned and in the process. In the paper I will Identify and describe as well as give examples of how the human brain memory works. Also in this paper I will explain other kinds of forgetting and discuss the strategies that can improve memory consolidation and retrieval.
The human memory consists of three processes: encoding, storage, retrieval. The encoding is the first process in the human memory and it is where information is transformed to be stored into a memory. The storage is the second process in the human memory and it is where physiological change has to take place in order for the memory to be stored. And the last process in the human memory is the retrieval process which is where you can retrieve memories that you stored originally during the encoding process so that the information stored can return to the same point it was in the beginning.
In 1968, Richard Atkins and Richard Schifrin developed the Stage Model of Memory; which describes the basic structure and function of memory (Introduction to Psychology, p. 123). This model is made of three memory systems: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory.
The Sensory Memory is the beginning stage of the memory process. It uses the five memory sense touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. These sense organs have a limited ability to store information in a fairly unprocessed way for less than a second. An example of the sensory memory is when a person sees an image of an object before it disappears. When the image is gone, it is still kept in the memory for a short time period and then passed on to the next stage, the short-term memory.
Short-Term Memory, also known as the active memory, is “a temporary form of memory that interacts with long-term memory”. Short-term memory holds information that resides in the conscious mind for approximately 20 seconds until we quickly forget our short-term memories, allowing them to continue on to the next stage, the long-term memory. An example of short-term memory is remembering a phone number long enough to dial it without writing it down. Once the number has been dialed there is no memory of it.
Long-Term Memory is permanent memory store that holds information when it is no longer attended to. There are two types of long-term memory; episodic and semantic. Episodic memory is “memory of events that a person has experienced”. And includes who, what, when, and where. An example would be, memory from the last vacation you took or the last you seen your best friend before getting out from school for the summer. Semantic memory is “memory based on knowledge or information that you know but have not experienced” and are less likely to be forgotten. For an example, we remember the historic people and what they’ve done for the country, but we weren’t there when the events happened. This memory doesn’t have sensory or emotional components like the episodic memory, because they were not a person experience.
The interference theory says that information remains in the memory until other information comes along to crowd it out. This results in retroactive and proactive interference. Retroactive occurs when new information interferes with the ability to keep older information such as remembering a phone number or the answers to a test that you just studied for. Whereas; proactive prevent new information from entering such as information that keeps popping in your mind that pertains to something you thought of earlier like math formulas.
In the process of forgetting, there are seven types of normal memory problems: transience, absentmindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Everyone has forgotten something more than once even twice in their lifetime of remembering which is normal, but it isn’t normal when we forget too much. When facts or events are forgotten over time it is referred to transience. Transience is viewed by some as a memory weakness, but can enhance well-being due to clearing the brain of unused memories and allowing new space to create new memories. Absentmindedness occurs when people don’t pay attention closely enough such as forgetting where they laid their house or car keys. This happens when something else is on the person’s mind at the time they laid their keys down. An example of absentmindedness is forgetting a doctor’s appointment or taking medication. To prevent this, you can make a note on the bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator door that way you will see the note first thing in the morning. Blocking is something else that everyone experiences. “Blocking occurs when a memory is properly stored in your brain, but something is keeping you from finding it”. An example of this is when a parent calls one child another child’s name. Misattribution is another form of forgetting. Misattribution occurs when “you remember something accurately in part, but misattribute some detail, like the time, place, or person involved”. An example of this is when someone asks you about Mary Jane but you can’t put a face with her name. “Suggestibility refers to false memories that you develop because someone or something gives you some key information at the same time that you’re trying to retrieve a memory”. An example would be if someone gave you the wrong address and time to a friend’s house for a get together. Bias has an effect on all memories and an example is people recollections of their romantic relationships. And the last of the forgetting of memories is persistence. Persistence involves memories of past events that were traumatic, or having chronic fears, or even negative feeling.
Strategies that improve memory are sleeping or excising, having fun with family and friends, minimize stress, and eat healthier. Getting exercise or sleeping enhance the effects of helpful brain chemicals and protects brain cells. Having fun with friends and family such as listening to jokes or doing a puzzle can stimulates the brain. Cutting down on stress can cause less stress to destroy brain cells and damage the hippocampus. And eating healthier can improve memory as well by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. (Help guide.org)