Transcription
Hello and welcome. In this second video, our study of Neuroscience takes us to a truly fascinating subject: memory. How does memory work? Why do we forget some information while other information seems to be forever engraved in our brain? How can we improve our memory? That's what we're going to explore today.
To begin, let's look at how the memorization process happens. It takes place in three stages: one, encoding, which involves the hippocampus and the left frontal cortex; two, storage, which involves the neocortex; three, retrieval of information, which involves the right frontal cortex and again the hippocampus.
For the brain to retain information during encoding, the information needs it to be in context. For example, if we try to teach a small child what fire is, they will not retain the information because they does not know what fire is. But if you move their hand near a fireplace, they will remember that fire equals burning equals danger. Using the senses, such as sight or hearing, also makes encoding more efficient. For example, Chili Pepper equals red, orange equals fire equals burning.
During the second stage, storage, different recognition areas of the neocortex are activated simultaneously. For example, driving involves, among other areas of the brain, the cordate nucleus, which records instinctive actions; the cerebellum, which is involved in synchronization; and the pamin, which is involved in acquiring skills. I invite you to read up on all these areas in your PDF course material.
The hippocampus is one of the areas most used in the memorization process, but the entire synaptic network is just as important. The synapses grow or shrink depending on the information they receive, thus increasing the brain's overall storage capacity.
The retrieval of information, which is the third stage of memorization, depends on the first stage. The more detailed the context of the information, the more effective the encoding and the easier it is to retrieve that information.
Memorization is vital. It is the greatest survival tool that human beings have. In addition to storing memories, it also involves erasing the least important data and analyzing the information received to draw conclusions.
Now, let's go even further. Did you know that there are different types of memory? These are short-term memory, long-term memory, and working memory.
Short-term memory records a limited volume of information over an equally limited period of time, from 30 seconds to a maximum of 1 minute. This information can either be sent to long-term memory or be erased.
Long-term memory enables you to retain a maximum amount of information over an unlimited period of time. It is divided into two main types: declarative memory, also called explicit memory. It includes semantic memory, which is linked to learning and theoretical information; it is our internal encyclopedia. Episodic memory, which is linked to events lived, situations and context, as well as emotions and conscious memories. Non-declarative memory, also called implicit memory. It includes emotional memory, which is linked to unconscious emotions; the information in this memory can be kept for life. Procedural memory, which is linked to automatisms and gestures. For example, you know how to tie your shoelaces without having to think about it.
However, our brain also deletes information if it is no longer useful. For example, being able to solve a mathematical equation learned in secondary school. An emotional shock can also erase certain information. Finally, acquiring new information can block the memorization of old information. This is called retroactive interference or retroactive inhibition. Conversely, old information can hinder the memorization of new information. This is called called proactive interference.
The third type of memory is the working memory. It only records sensory data for a very short time, depending on the perception time of a visual or auditory stimulus.
Neuropsychological tests are available to assess memorization capacity. These tests consist of collecting information about the person's life, a clinical interview, and results analysis. The interview takes into account the person's behavior and the presence of possible symptoms such as apathy, euphoria, irritability, depression, agitation. The tests use various direct and indirect techniques, including word lists, and analyze the time it takes to memorize and to retrieve memories. Examples are available in your PDF course material.
Let's end this module with an overview of techniques that can improve memory. Since the senses play a role in encoding memory, some activities are beneficial, such as singing or reciting a text out loud to memorize it. Sight is also useful for remembering an image or a place by focusing on the small details rather than the large colored objects. You can use mnemonics for series of numbers. You can associate them with elements of your personal life. For example, 25 is perhaps your house number, 77 is your sister's year of birth, etc. You can also use acronyms. For example, to remember the colors of the rainbow in the correct order: Richard of York gave battle in vain, equals sign red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
It is best to avoid distractions when you are learning, as being distracted can lead to errors in encoding. The brain's plasticity, mentioned in the first video, requires a constant state of attention in order to progress. This is possible by learning new things frequently. Being interested in new activities, whatever they may be, stimulates memory.
Finally, take care of your lifestyle. Lack of sleep, alcohol, sleeping pills, psychotropic drugs, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, all affect memory. Walk for an hour a day, take breaks to breathe deeply, and enjoy a varied diet full of fresh, low glycemic foods.
To conclude, memory is complex, and it is essential to another process: learning. This will be the subject of the next video. See you soon.