Memory

Content Standards

• Cont ent Standard 2: Storage of memory

2.1 Describe the differences between working memory and long-
term memory.
Memory • 2.2 Identify and explain biological processes related to how
memory is stored.
Unit: Memory • 2.3 Discuss types of memory and memory disorders (e.g.,
Class: Psychology amnesias, dementias).
Instructor: Quan Nguyen • 2.4 Discuss strategies for improving the storage of memories.

1 2

Got it Memorized? Class Table: Types of Memory

• Imagine if you were to live a day in your life not remembering Memory Type Definition Limitations Visual Icon
anything, how would that end up. Working Memory

• Memory is an important everyday function of living beings.

Long Term Memory

3 4

Working Memory Long Term Memory

• Working Memory: information that is temporarily stored until it is • Long Term Memory: The stage that where memory is stored for an
moved into long term memory. indefinite period of time.
• If the memory is not processed or committed to long term • This does not mean that information in long term memory cannot
memory, then the information would be lost or forgotten. be forgotten.
• One would need to focus on attempting to committing the memory • Certain injuries or diseases can cause people to “lose” their
to long term storage as the information can be misinterpreted memories.
though interference. • Sleeping helps to retain the information to Long Term Memory.

5 6
Memory

Now You Try Class Table: Memory Disorders

• Try and write down as many farm animal names after the
instructor finishes stating them. Memory Disorders Definition Where does the What are the
problem occur? Symptoms?

• Normally people memorize around 7 + or – 3 items on a list.

Alzheimer’s Disease
• When items are groups into specific categories such as the topic
above, people are able to memorize things easier.

Amnesia

7 8

Alzheimer’s Disease Amnesia

• A disease in the brain that’s cause is hard to pinpoint. Potentially • Caused by physical trauma, disease, or psychological trauma.
by genetics or head injuries. • Symptoms mainly include loss of memory previously learned and
• Symptoms include difficulty remembering recent events, the reduction of the ability to learn information.
communication difficulties, mood swings, and disorientation. • There are many types of Amnesia: Anterograde, Retrograde, Post
• No known way to cure Alzheimer’s. Traumatic, Dissociative, ETC.
• The loss of memory can be specific events, trauma to the person,
or even one’s own identity.

9 10

Amnesia Cont. Now You Try

• Anterograde Amnesia: Not able to create new memories mainly • Imagine yourself having Amnesia. Write about what could have
due to brain damage. Still able to remember past memories. caused your Amnesia.
• Retrograde Amnesia: Not able to remember past memories prior to
an incident. Still able to create new memories.
• Post traumatic Amnesia: Caused generally by a head injury. • Example: As a dissociative amnesiac, having a dramatic event that
Amnesia can be either of the retrograde or anterograde amnesia, caused a large amount of stress in my life caused me to move to
but can recover from it. another state and take a new life, forgetting about my old one.
• Dissociative amnesia: Amnesia caused by psychological harm. The
different types can be the inability to recall information about
specific events or creating a new identity or life

11 12
Memory

How does memory work biologically? Class Table: Improving Memory

• Memory is stored in a specific area of Memory Impvement How does it help What are some Picture Explaining
the brain, mainly the hippocampus. Methods improve your things to do?
memory?
• Neurons fire in a specific order in a
chain to trigger the remembrance of Mental Exercises
the memory.
Physical Exercises
• By repeating this sequence, such as
trying to remember something by Sleep
repetition, the neuron sequence will
get strengthened. Learning methods

13 14

Mental Exercises Physical Exercise

• Your brain is in charge of your mental processes, so one needs to • Your Brain is a part of your body, a
keep it healthy. muscle. In order for it to stay fit, one
needs to stay fit as well.
• Learn something new: By learning new things, you create new
connections in the brain. • Aerobic Exercise: Oxygen is important
to your vital organs and keeps your
• Difficult: If a task is too easy, your brain does not get challenged. blood moving. Having more blood
By being challenged, you strain your brain and strengthen it. circulate to your brain keeps it healthy.
• Reward yourself: By rewarding yourself, your brain keeps its • Exercise breaks: Having small breaks of
interest and is more inclined to continue on. physical activity can help move past
mental fatigue and barriers.

15 16

Sleep Memorization Techniques

• The amount of sleep one gets affect’s their brains and how much • By creating methods for easier memorization, you are able to
one can memorize. store more in your memory.
• Reduce Caffeine Intake: Caffeine has properties to keep one • Mnemonic devices: Alternate ways to encode information. For
awake for longer periods of time example, Acronyms and Chunking.
• Avoid Blue Light before sleeping: Blue Light can strain a person’s • Relate the information: By relating new information with ones you
eyes and cause headaches if exposed to a person’s eyes for long previously know, you create connections the new information to
periods of time. be stored.
• Make a Sleep Schedule: By having a regulated routine for sleep, it
creates structure for your body to get ample rest.

17 18
Memory

Now You Try Wrap Up

• How are some of the ways you as a student can improve your • Compare and contrast the different memory disorders listed.
memory using the provided information.
• Example: I can start sleeping at 10PM so I can get the ample • Why is there is a process for memory to be encoded?
amount of sleep for the day.

• What are some mnemonics easier to use for some people than
others?

19 20