The Influence Of Memory

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Memories contain details of a person’s life, such as facts and events. Recalling memories can take some effort, especially if the memories hold grudges or pain. Many people may desire to have their memories changed or removed, so they can enjoy life without the afterthought of bad memories. Advancements in neuroscience allowed scientists to know more how memories work inside the brain and which parts of the brain store memories.

According to a cognitive psychologist, Margaret W. Matline, memory is a process of retaining information over time. The process starts after childbirth and never cease to collect information as the person grows older. In order to collect information, the data must be perceived by at least one of the five senses – touch, …show more content…

Repetitive actions, such as studying for a test or vocalizing for a singing act, can lead to acquired knowledge, in which the person can do it without thinking. However, motivation plays an important role in learning new information and skills. For example, a person who is keen in biological and medical sciences but, not in mathematics will likely get a biology book than review for a math test. The same person may also show high enthusiasm in Biology class but, despairs when attending in Math class.

There are different types of memories associated with a specific type of learning and information:

1. Implicit memory works by recalling past experiences to remember certain things without the need to think. Professionals like athletes and musicians are known to have superior implicit memory.

2. Procedural memory is a subsection of the implicit and it works by accessing the long-term memories to recall how things are done, such as playing a musical instrument and swimming.

3. Explicit memory requires effort to bring a specific information to the surface, such remembering someone’s birthday or your anniversary …show more content…

However, certain experiences in life that may or may not lead to success, deliver painful memories. Painful memories include disappointment and frustrations from unable to fulfill goals, break-up with someone you have been intimate with, and loss of a friend, family or partner. These memories can cause haunting echoes of the pain by looking at something, hearing a certain sound or feeling a familiar sensation. The painful echoes often trigger anxiety, depression, phobias, and stress disorder. People suffering from painful memories may experience impaired daily functionality at home, at school, and at work.

In 2016, a documentary titled Memory Hackers revealed how change, remove, and implant memories in humans. The researchers discovered that a memory is formed when neurons grow and form new connections, after being stimulated by proteins. After the rewiring of neurons, the memory is then stored for a very long time, provided it is recalled