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==Ways to Improve Memory==▼
There are several methods that can be employed to improve one’s memory skills. Recall that the decay theory states that as time passes with a memory trace not being used, it becomes increasingly difficult for that pattern of neural activity to become reactivated, or in other words to retrieve that memory (Roberts, 1972). The key is that information must be retrieved and rehearsed or it will eventually be lost.▼
In remembering new information, your brain goes through three stages: Registration, retention, and retrieval. It is only in the retention process that one is able to influence the retention rate if the information is properly organized in your brain (Sabah, 2006). This can be done using these techniques:▼
# Recall using cues. Connecting a piece of unfamiliar information with, say, a visual cue can help in remembering that piece of information much more easily (Sabah, 2006).▼
# Use the “Rule of 7”. Your brain can only story approximately seven items simultaneously in short-term memory (Sabah, 2006). Lists and categories should therefore contain no more than seven items.▼
# Teach it. This is another way to speed up the process of learning new information (Sabah, 2006)▼
# Use mnemonic devices and acronyms. This is a preferable method to memorize lists and increase chances of long-term memory storage (Sabah, 2006).▼
Decay Theory proposes that memory fades due to the mere passage of time. Information is therefore less available for later retrieval as time passes and memory, as well as memory strength, wears away25. When we learn something new, a neuro-chemical “memory trace” is created. However, over time this trace slowly disintegrates. Actively rehearsing information is believed to be a major factor counteracting this temporal decline5. It is widely believed that neurons die off gradually as we age, yet some older memories can be stronger than most recent memories. Thus, Decay Theory mostly affects the short-term memory system, meaning that older memories (in long-term memory) are often more resistant to shocks or physical attacks on the brain. It is also thought that the passage of time alone cannot cause forgetting, and that Decay Theory must also take into account some processes that occur as more time passes2.
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Another theory of forgetting in short-term memory, or STM, is the Displacement Theory which suggests that new memory traces displace or erase old ones.
==Inconsistencies==
Researchers disagree about whether memories fade as a function of the mere passage of time (as in Decay Theory) or as a function of interfering succeeding events (as in Interference Theory)1. Often, evidence tends to favour interference related decay over temporal decay 2, yet this varies depending on the specific memory system taken into account. Within the short-term memory system, evidence favours an Interference Theory of forgetting, based on various researchers’ manipulation of the amount of time between a participant’s retention and recall stages finding little to no effect on how many items they are able to remember1. Looking solely at verbal short-term memory within studies that control against participants’ use of rehearsal processes, a very small temporal decay effect coupled with a much larger interference decay effect can be found2. No evidence for temporal decay in verbal short-term memory has been found in recent studies of serial recall tasks2. Regarding the word-length effect in short-term memory, which states that longer word lists are harder to recall than short word lists, researchers argue that interference plays a larger role due to articulation duration being confounded with other word characteristics3.
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6 Buhusi, C.V., & Meck, W.H. (2006). Interval time with gaps and distractors: Evaluation of the switch, and time-sharing hypothesis [Electronic version]. Journal of experimental psychology: Animal behavior processes, 32(3), pp. 329-338. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
7 ^ Paul Wetham, Andrew Day, Libby Wetham (2006) Psychology for the use with the IB Diploma.
▲==Ways to Improve Memory==
▲There are several methods that can be employed to improve one’s memory skills. Recall that the decay theory states that as time passes with a memory trace not being used, it becomes increasingly difficult for that pattern of neural activity to become reactivated, or in other words to retrieve that memory (Roberts, 1972). The key is that information must be retrieved and rehearsed or it will eventually be lost.
▲In remembering new information, your brain goes through three stages: Registration, retention, and retrieval. It is only in the retention process that one is able to influence the retention rate if the information is properly organized in your brain (Sabah, 2006). This can be done using these techniques:
▲# Recall using cues. Connecting a piece of unfamiliar information with, say, a visual cue can help in remembering that piece of information much more easily (Sabah, 2006).
▲# Use the “Rule of 7”. Your brain can only story approximately seven items simultaneously in short-term memory (Sabah, 2006). Lists and categories should therefore contain no more than seven items.
▲# Teach it. This is another way to speed up the process of learning new information (Sabah, 2006)
▲# Use mnemonic devices and acronyms. This is a preferable method to memorize lists and increase chances of long-term memory storage (Sabah, 2006).
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