Human Memory and Its Workings

Edited by: Avnika K.

Skillman, NJ

Memory is a gift when it works properly, but it is all too easy to become forgetful of school concepts, meeting times, or song titles. So, how can you have better memory?

This all comes down to understanding how memory works and discovering strategies tailored to your body and mind—so you never have to hit “Forgot password” on a login page ever again!

Encoding the Memory

When you experience something your brain would like to form a memory of, it will encode it. Encoding is a process where your brain is either forced to or spontaneously takes information and stores it in the memory system, typically through electric and chemical impulses within the brain that form connections between your brain cells. Those connections are known as neural pathways—shortcuts located in your brain to facilitate the memorization process!

Hippocampus of the brain

A memory is encoded when the hippocampus of your brain, the structure that determines memories and emotions, voluntarily engages in the process. It perceives the surrounding stimuli to begin identifying and organizing receptive details. Depending on the type of details, the hippocampus encodes information differently:

Acoustic encoding. The brain processes different sounds. To commit sounds to long-term memory, a process called the phonological loop may be utilized, where a sound is played for a short duration of time and vocal repetition by the listener follows. This is especially helpful when memorizing long strings of numbers!
Elaborative encoding. This process involves the relation of newly learned topics to previous ones to accelerate the memory process. Studies also demonstrate that elaborative encoding supports improved memory retention.
Organizational encoding. This process entails the classification and organizing of experiences based on their various qualities, as well as forming relationships among memories, as in elaborative encoding.
Semantic encoding. These memories have a higher chance of being committed to long-term memory, as memories formed through semantic encoding have a specific background meaning, such as particularly important dates.
Tactile encoding. The brain processes what you touch, taste, and smell. Consistently undergoing a physical feeling makes it more likely to commit a tactile experience to memory through a process known as long-term potentiation, where stimulation bolsters the links between neurons, or brain cells.
Visual encoding. This process involves converting the visual images from the eyes to neurological signals so the brain can understand them. The memory is then considered an iconic memory, which can only be recalled a short amount of time after the encounter has passed before being deemed a long-term memory.

Memory Storage

Upon being encoded, a memory has the capacity to be stored, or taken as a permanent memory—the next step in the process, ensuring that the events you undergo can stay with you for longer periods of time! Based on the Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory, stating that humans process memories the same way a computer takes in information, the stages to be stored are:

Sensory memory. This is information that we take in from our environment, only lasting a couple of seconds. This is because we experience external stimuli every moment of the day, becoming too much to take everything in.
Short-term memory. If a sensory memory is seen as more important, it is brought to the point in between a sensory and long-term memory. Short-term memories typically last around twenty seconds, and an average person can have seven short-term memories stored at once.
Long-term memory. After passing as a short-term memory, an experience can be stored as a long-term memory and has the aptitude to last perpetually. Long-term memories are recalled differently by different people and depending on the memory, such as through prompts.

Implicit vs. Explicit Memories

Writing in a notebook with a black pen. Person wears a yellow sweater. Laptop in the background. Cozy and focused atmosphere. Elin. Elin Su. — Writing is an implicit memory

Implicit memories are formed through behaviors and do not require the consciousness of an individual to actively recall them—they naturally come. Examples consist of speaking one’s native tongue, writing, and any other behavior done or acquired through constant repetition. Experiences that the brain unconsciously registers, such as hearing another language being spoken, are also considered implicit memories.

Hand writing with a red pencil in an open notebook on a desk. Cozy setting, with soft lighting and a relaxed mood. Elin. Elin Su. — Studying is an explicit memory

Examples of explicit memories include episodic

memories—memorized events that occur naturally in everyday life, such as going to school or knowing a fact. These are memories that your brain actively works to retain and recall. It is most commonly exercised when studying or working.

Strategies for Memorization

While better memory can be obtained through a healthy lifestyle, the more technical methods an individual utilizes to commit material to the memory also play a large role in keeping long-term memories. These strategies do not require any external resources to enforce!

Visual image creation. If you prefer visual memorization techniques, accompany each item with a visual representation of it, such as a symbol. Associating items to images relates them to visuospatial centers, which indicates how objects are represented in a space. You could also associate items with different sensory details from not only your vision, such as scent or a physical feeling.
Jingle creation. Listening to a jingle to go with each item stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain. Fortunately, there are already existing jingles for memorization of tricky concepts to simplify the process of utilizing this technique!
Interleaving. Just like how it is healthier to consume a varied diet, alternating between material requiring memorization can better and often accelerate the process. Data presents that interleaving assists with long-term memorization. Users of this technique may switch around memorizing items from different subjects over a span of time.
Word groups. When memorizing a group of words, it may be helpful to create an abbreviation of the words in a certain order. For example, the Central American countries—Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras—could be shortened to P.C.N.H., taken from the first letter of each country, which could stand for Pearl City Nursing Home—much less daunting to commit to the memory!
Self-quizzing. Continuously testing yourself on items you are working toward long-term memorization works by assisting in the identification of material that may be a cause for struggle. This is often a beneficial procedure after having learned material some days ago.

However, the importance of healthy eating, exercise, and getting enough rest each day must not be downplayed, as the health of the brain and body go hand-in-hand. Together with adopting effective memorization strategies suitable for you, it will become easier to maintain information!

Vocabulary

Encoding. A process where your brain is either forced to or spontaneously takes information and stores it in the memory system.
Episodic memories. Memorized events that occur naturally in everyday life.
Hippocampus. The structure of the brain, which perceives the surrounding stimuli to begin identifying and organizing receptive details.
Iconic memory. A memory that can be recalled for a short period of time if not converted to a long-term memory.
Long-term potentation. A process that aims to reinforce neural pathways through relative stimulation.
Memory storage. The process a memory undergoes to become a long-term memory.
Neural pathways. The connections between brain cells formed through the process of encoding.
Neurons. Brain cells.
Phonological loop. A memorization technique where sound is played for a short duration of time and vocal repetition by the listener follows.
Visuospatial centers. A region of the brain that indicates how objects are represented in a space.