How does memory work?
Memory is an organism’s ability to store, retain and subsequently retrieve information. A basic and generally accepted classification of memory is based on the duration of memory retention, and identifies three distinct types of memory:
- sensory memory
- short term memory
- long term memory
Sensory memory is an ultra short term memory. It holds an enormously large storage capacity but very short memory retention (less than a second). It allows you to quickly process sensory information, which is basically like constantly taking „snapshots“ of your environment and then immediately discarding them again. What you remember and how well you remember it largely depends on your current state of mind, i.e. on how concentrated and attentive you are. However, unless you suffer from a rare form of autism, you will probably never be able to retain all details of any of the individual pictures „taken“ by your sensory camera. On the contrary, you will have to chose more or less consciously what to retain and what to omitt. Everyone of us for example knows a situation similar to the following one: You go for a walk with a friend who suddenly asks you about the color of the car that has just passed you by and although that was just a second ago, you find yourself unable to answer the question. If however you have concentrated on the task beforhand, nothing will be easier. Please note that the process of discarding sensory inforrmation is no disadvantage but rather a necessary survival mechanism that keeps your brain from being overflown by useless information. Without this crucial filter the brain would not be able to focus on tasks other than peception.
The short term memory stores information for several minutes, which allows you for example to freely associate incoming information with data retrieved from your long term memory or your present condition, thus enabling you to view the world „with your own eyes“. As the short term memory is the central joint between long term and sensory memory it is also the place where for example logical conclusions are being inferred. This extraordinary ability is located in the so called prefrontal cortex directly behind your forehead. The neurons in this area will be activated for the time a certain set of data is being processed and subsequently switched off again. Hence the short term memory is actually the place where our active thinking occurs and is thus crucial to virtually all brain functions connected to intelligence.
The long term memory stores information for many years. Language, your friends faces, your address or the ability to ride a bicycle are typical „data“ stored in the long term memory. It can be differientated into two major headings: declarative memory, which refers to all memories that are consciously available and the procedural memorywhich refers to movements and procedures you have learned, like f.e. riding a bicycle or walking.
It is yet unknown how large the long term memory's maximum capacity is, but knowing about the so called "savants" for example gives us a hint on what potential might be inherent to the brain. Some savants are able to remember every word of a book even years after they have read it. The long term memory is located on the neocortex which is evolotionarily speaking the youngest part of our brain. It is not stored in one unified structure like the short tern memory, but is rather to be seen as an additional function of the respective cognitive abilities.
What can I do to improve my memory?
Your memory is more or less a fluid substance for it is constantly adapting to your requirements. Science calls this "neuroplasticity". As your neurons are constantly adapting, they can be challenged and tasked in various ways. Something that everybody is able to improve f.e. is his/her ability to concentrate. The better you concentrate, the more information you absorb and, of course, things will be more difficult if the amount of time you are provided with is limited. NeuroNation games like "Moving Letters", "Sequence" target exactly that area.
The short term memory can be trained to work faster and process larger amounts of information simultioneously, which is basically like upgrading your RAM on your computer. Virtually all games of our "Memory" category target the short term memory and help you to learn to think faster. F.e. having to simultaneously process different types of information like visual and auditory input is particularly challenging. Games like "Sound Memo" do exactly that.
It is quite difficult to effectively train the long term memory, but what you can do is to try to actively recall facts and abilities every now and then, or f.e. listen to a more complex piece of music and then try and recall its every note. The good thing about the long term memory is, that although recollections might fade, most of the time they are stored safely enough to be retrieved at will, so it is f.e. very likely that you will still know how to ride a bike, even after you haven't done it for years. You might be a bit shaky at first, but you will be able and the more often you do it, the easier it will become. The key to success when it comes to your long term memory is frequent repetition.
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