Memory And Memory Function: The Functions Of Memory

People do not usually think of the way memory functions. They just know that individuals have the ability to remember details large and small, and sometimes memories are created consciously, but most of the time it is unconscious. However, memory is not just something passively created in our bodies. Every brain works tirelessly to form neural connections all day and night in order to retain information. Memory varies from person to person and quality of memory can vary over a person’s life. The types of memory, neurological aspects, and disorders make up memory and how it functions. In this age of innovation and technology designed to boost brain function, people should utilize knowledge and tools available to them to be proactive and understand

In some ways, memory is very basic. It is “our ability to encode, store, retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain” (Mastin). There are three basic functions of memory: encoding, storing, and retaining. Encoding is the first step in creating a memory. Each sensation you encode travels to the hippocampus, where the sensations are stored into a single experience in your memory. The first step in having a memory is encoding. If you don’t remember something, it is most likely because you did not encode it efficiently, because you were distracted, a reminder that attention is so vital in the process of creating memory. Since remembering relies a lot on your senses, you must be present in all your senses to be able to fully remember things. In fact, one of the most powerful triggers of memory are the five senses, especially smell, which triggers encoding and memory by connecting a specific smell with a memory. Memory is the total sum of what we remember and gives us the power to recall any facts, experiences, or activities seen and understood (Mastin). The more each person understands about her own brain function, the better she can be at ensuring she’s taking necessary steps to preserve the integrity of her mind. The basic knowledge of what makes up the process of remembering is an important component for all people in terms of brain health as well as overall

Each type serves a different purpose. Sensory memory, the ability to retain information from the five senses after the stimulus has been created, is stored for a short amount of time. For example, if you are starting at an object before it disappears from your sight, the image is only stored in your brain for a short amount of time. Luke Mastin says that sensory memory “acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the five senses” and often retains useless information. In the brain, the stimulus can be ignored or retained, and if retained, it enters into the sensory memory. No conscious effort is required to retain sensory memory. The second type of memory is short-term memory, which is responsible for temporary storage of information, only holding small amounts of information, like a phone number or zip code, and then the information often disappears after a couple of minutes (Mastin). Short-term memory is slightly stronger than sensory memory because within the couple of minutes of retaining the information, it becomes automatically available for a short amount of time. The most powerful type of memory is long-term memory, which is considered to store a limitless amount of information, most being unforgettable information. In the brain, the hippocampus, located in the temporal lobe, is the catalyst for long-term memory and processing takes place within the cortex (Mastin). Although some people’s long-term memory may be stronger