2009/06/09
at
11:58 PM
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Yes we can. This article will show at least four ways in which we can do so. But to do this, we must we must first understand how our memory works. Neuroscientists believe that there are two kinds of memory: (1) Procedural; (2) Declarative. Procedural memory involves the storing of skills and habits; Declarative memory involves the storing of facts. The declarative memory can also be called “working memory”, and it is the main focus of this article. So let us examine this form of memory more closely, so we can hit the target with greater success. Declarative memory is made up of two parts: (1) Long- term memory (2) short memory; According to the theory (Neuroscience Primer), long-term memory works as a storehouse for materials that have been practiced and rehearsed. Short -term memory on the other hand, can store only a limited amount of information. It also holds this information for the duration of only a few seconds, or probably for a couple of minutes, at the most; then it begins to diminish.
This is where our conscious effort to help our memory begins: To improve our memory, (1) We must transfer the material in our short- term memory to
the storehouse (the long- term memory). But just how can we do that? Practice and rehearse material previously learned. A simple way to practice/rehearse verbal material is to organize it and place things that are similar into categories, to make it easier for you to recall them. For example: You need to purchase five things at the beauty supply store, but didn’t have the material needed to make up a list. You can put your memory to work by forming one category for– hair products: representing the shampoo and hairspray you plan to purchased; form another category,- cosmetics: for the face cream, liquid toner, and eye shadow that you also plan to purchase. Now rehearse, mentally: speak out loud to yourself, literally repeating the name of the categories as well as the items there - in. This process allows you to transfer the information from short- term to long-term memory. But what about the material that you read/study, how can you transfer this to long-term memory readily?
In addition to the afore-mentioned categorizing of the information, there is a technique called visualization: Make up a mental picture of the material as you read. Let us say that you are studying about memory, the very topic of this article. You are reading about procedural and declarative memory and naturally, you want to remember the difference between the two. Using the visualization technique: You must stop and make a mental picture of the brain; then, split it into two parts. Visualize the procedural on one side, put the declarative on the other side. Now label each part according to how it functions. You can even make up a little jingle such as the following: “proceed with the skill/habit--------and declare the facts/information”. Now, you have just etched in some important facts that will be transferred to your long-term memory; namely: procedural memory involves the storing of skills and habits; and declarative memory involves the storing of facts. Continue this process as you read, stopping at intervals to verbalize and visualize; allowing the material to transfer from short-term to long-term
memory (the store-house). The second way to boost our memory: (2). We must exercise our memory regularly: It strengthens the BOND between the neurons. Neuroscientists have found that neurons communicate with each other. When we stimulate a few of them with a single input, -according to the theory; the communication sparks off billions of (synaptic) impulses. To put it simply, these impulses act as messengers along what is called the axon of the neuron. These messengers travel until they reach a point called their junctions or synapses. At the junctions, there are bulb-like projections filled with neurotransmitters (chemicals). These chemicals take the message across the gap between the neurons, because they do not actually touch each other. The chemicals are like a force of energy, pulling the neurons close together; and they do this by forming a bridge. Then through a complex system of keys and locks, they open and close the way for relaying the message from neuron to neuron. So the more often we recall information learned, the more frequent the pulling process of the neurons occur, and this strengthens the bond between them. This idea can be illustrated further if we compare the mind to a muscle. Exercise helps to build and strengthen muscles, and we can strengthen our memory in the same way through regular exercise. The third way to boost our memory: (3) We must help to cross train our brain: It strengthens the NEUROGICAL CONNECTIONS: It is believed that in the process called memory, the brain uses one hundred billion neurons. But the network formed by these 100 billion neurons is about ten thousand times greater. If we do the math here, we are talking about one hundred billion multiply by ten thousand. But, never should we take the vastness of this network for granted. To maintain this network connection, a neuron has to be used. Otherwise, it withers and cuts itself off from the network. Even though it may not be completely dead in the strictest sense of the expression, the ability to remember becomes harder under the condition, when more and more neurons disassociate themselves through the lack of use. Old age is not an excuse Never should we excuse ourselves, nor put the blame on old age if our memory does not serve us well. The result of much research reveals that remembering what we learn at a very high level can go on well into our sixties; and in many cases into our eighties. One example of this is seen in the case of Vladimir Horrowitz. On his eightieth birthday, he appeared in concert in the Carnegie Hall auditorium playing from memory, a repertoire consisting of some of the most advanced pieces in piano literature. Although this may not be the everyday case, it still shows that the human memory is prodigious. But we must help it to stay in tact and possible expand itself through frequent use, exercise and cross training. Some of the ways in which we can cross train our brain: Some activities are big brainteasers, but if you enjoy doing them, then so much the merrier. Some of these are as follows: learning to play chess, learning to play a musical instrument, learning to play bridge, poetry /creative writing, reading and analyzing novels. Some activities that are softer brainteasers and good focus builders are as follows: the solving of crossword puzzles, doing word searches and sudokus, doodling, playing video games etc. Staying socially active adds coloring / meaning to your life and this helps in stabilizing the neurotransmitters, the chemicals responsible for good brain functions.
This is where our conscious effort to help our memory begins: To improve our memory, (1) We must transfer the material in our short- term memory to
the storehouse (the long- term memory). But just how can we do that? Practice and rehearse material previously learned. A simple way to practice/rehearse verbal material is to organize it and place things that are similar into categories, to make it easier for you to recall them. For example: You need to purchase five things at the beauty supply store, but didn’t have the material needed to make up a list. You can put your memory to work by forming one category for– hair products: representing the shampoo and hairspray you plan to purchased; form another category,- cosmetics: for the face cream, liquid toner, and eye shadow that you also plan to purchase. Now rehearse, mentally: speak out loud to yourself, literally repeating the name of the categories as well as the items there - in. This process allows you to transfer the information from short- term to long-term memory. But what about the material that you read/study, how can you transfer this to long-term memory readily?
In addition to the afore-mentioned categorizing of the information, there is a technique called visualization: Make up a mental picture of the material as you read. Let us say that you are studying about memory, the very topic of this article. You are reading about procedural and declarative memory and naturally, you want to remember the difference between the two. Using the visualization technique: You must stop and make a mental picture of the brain; then, split it into two parts. Visualize the procedural on one side, put the declarative on the other side. Now label each part according to how it functions. You can even make up a little jingle such as the following: “proceed with the skill/habit--------and declare the facts/information”. Now, you have just etched in some important facts that will be transferred to your long-term memory; namely: procedural memory involves the storing of skills and habits; and declarative memory involves the storing of facts. Continue this process as you read, stopping at intervals to verbalize and visualize; allowing the material to transfer from short-term to long-term
memory (the store-house). The second way to boost our memory: (2). We must exercise our memory regularly: It strengthens the BOND between the neurons. Neuroscientists have found that neurons communicate with each other. When we stimulate a few of them with a single input, -according to the theory; the communication sparks off billions of (synaptic) impulses. To put it simply, these impulses act as messengers along what is called the axon of the neuron. These messengers travel until they reach a point called their junctions or synapses. At the junctions, there are bulb-like projections filled with neurotransmitters (chemicals). These chemicals take the message across the gap between the neurons, because they do not actually touch each other. The chemicals are like a force of energy, pulling the neurons close together; and they do this by forming a bridge. Then through a complex system of keys and locks, they open and close the way for relaying the message from neuron to neuron. So the more often we recall information learned, the more frequent the pulling process of the neurons occur, and this strengthens the bond between them. This idea can be illustrated further if we compare the mind to a muscle. Exercise helps to build and strengthen muscles, and we can strengthen our memory in the same way through regular exercise. The third way to boost our memory: (3) We must help to cross train our brain: It strengthens the NEUROGICAL CONNECTIONS: It is believed that in the process called memory, the brain uses one hundred billion neurons. But the network formed by these 100 billion neurons is about ten thousand times greater. If we do the math here, we are talking about one hundred billion multiply by ten thousand. But, never should we take the vastness of this network for granted. To maintain this network connection, a neuron has to be used. Otherwise, it withers and cuts itself off from the network. Even though it may not be completely dead in the strictest sense of the expression, the ability to remember becomes harder under the condition, when more and more neurons disassociate themselves through the lack of use. Old age is not an excuse Never should we excuse ourselves, nor put the blame on old age if our memory does not serve us well. The result of much research reveals that remembering what we learn at a very high level can go on well into our sixties; and in many cases into our eighties. One example of this is seen in the case of Vladimir Horrowitz. On his eightieth birthday, he appeared in concert in the Carnegie Hall auditorium playing from memory, a repertoire consisting of some of the most advanced pieces in piano literature. Although this may not be the everyday case, it still shows that the human memory is prodigious. But we must help it to stay in tact and possible expand itself through frequent use, exercise and cross training. Some of the ways in which we can cross train our brain: Some activities are big brainteasers, but if you enjoy doing them, then so much the merrier. Some of these are as follows: learning to play chess, learning to play a musical instrument, learning to play bridge, poetry /creative writing, reading and analyzing novels. Some activities that are softer brainteasers and good focus builders are as follows: the solving of crossword puzzles, doing word searches and sudokus, doodling, playing video games etc. Staying socially active adds coloring / meaning to your life and this helps in stabilizing the neurotransmitters, the chemicals responsible for good brain functions.
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