Siya Patil (Week 13)- A World of Memories
A World of Memories
Siya Patil
APENG P5
It’s pretty easy to remember that embarrassing moment from seven years ago, but not as easy to remember the math formula you need for your test. As frustrating as it is, there’s an amazing phenomenon behind it.
The brain works in wondrous ways; such a small (yet heavy) organ is capable of carrying out complex processes, a lot of which is still unknown to researchers today. You’d think that with the ability to do so much, you’d be able to pass every single memory test you’d ever come across. It doesn’t work that way, but the explanation for it is pretty fascinating, at least in my opinion.
The concept of “practice makes perfect” actually connects with how the brain processes memory. According to an article by Labroots, a scientific networking website, repeating actions leads to certain events being perceived as more “memorable” to our brains due to the number of activated neurons associated with what we are trying to remember as well. Making flashcards for a vocabulary quiz and studying for it over and over is an example of how an individual may best exercise this. In addition, the article also mentions that highly rewarding or demanding experiences also call for a stronger memory in result, leading to what is known as a “memory replay,” allowing us to better remember that event. So, the next time you’re stressed out about not being able to remember someone’s name- don’t sweat it! It’s completely understandable why you can’t recall the name, considering the last time it was told to you was most likely months ago. But, if you were thinking about that specific person and their name almost every day, it’d be a shame if you couldn’t remember. What we do and don’t remember, therefore, truly comes down to the reward associated with a specific event and how much we repeat the event as well.
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Hi Siya, I read your blog, and I appreciate how informative it is regarding why we humans would remember some things and forget others. The frequency in which we use the information, and the benefits that associate with it also play a major role determining the effectiveness of our memory. That is why when we repeatedly read flashcards or review them, it will be easier to remember them.
ReplyDeleteHi Siya, I learned many new things from your blog. This goes to show that practice does really make perfect even at a biological level. The more frequently we use the information, the better we remember that information. This is the reason that flashcards and using different acronyms are helpful while trying to remember something either for a test or just in general.
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn about the brain, the more fascinated I am! Also, your post has certainly boosted my self esteem. I have had several embarrassing name-slip moments recently, and I suppose the solution to that would be repeating peoples’ names several times until I can confidently recall them. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteHi Siya,
ReplyDeleteThis concept of memory is really interesting. It is funny that you bring it up now since we pretty recently learned about it in AP psychology class. Closely related, is this idea of serial processing and memory cues. It is easier to remember the first and last item in a list. It is also easier to remember things when they are learned in a specific way. For example, if groups of words are clustered by theme, they will be easier to recall when compared to a list of random words. It is crazy to think that such a small change can create a significant impact on memory. Often, I get angry that I can remember such insignificant pieces of information, but not things that I need for school. Your blog gives an excellent explanation about why exactly that happens.
Hi Siya, this is an incredibly interesting topic. I wish there was an easier way to mark a memory as important, but constant repetition definitely does the trick. Memory is an enigmatic aspect of our minds, though with every study we learn more about it. Maybe one day we will learn how to remember the things we need to without the tedious repetition.
ReplyDeleteHey Siya, I love this topic and often find myself diving into the deep pool of memories and the nostalgia that leaves us with that nagging feeling of guilt for not fully realizing the importance of the moment and properly appreciating it.
ReplyDeleteHi Siya, I've often heard the saying "repetition is the mother of learning" being repeated around me, but your post provided some clarity as to its validity. It's nice to know that the tactics we often employ to remember things, such as using flash cards, actually have a scientific basis. The next time I really need to remember something, I'll be sure to consider the value of repetition.
ReplyDeleteHi Siya, I always wondered why it is difficult to remember important things, but we seem to do it so well when it comes to remembering other things. For example, some of us can watch an episode of a show and remember the whole thing, but it becomes challenging when we need to remember a formula or concept for an exam.
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