How Memory Works

 

Storing memories is like putting things into a storage tank, and retrieving them later when you need them. When you store things, you can just drop them in, but when you retrieve them, imagine you have to use a magnet to pull them out.

 

Let’s pick a random number – 10 – and say your brain heard and stored 10 things. Let’s say that’s pretty good storage. So, if your memory magnet can pull out 8 or 9 things at a later time, that’s pretty good, too.But let’s say, your brain stored 10 and you have a weak magnet, and can only pull out 2 or 3 things later. This leads to “tip of the tongue” episodes, where the memory is just out of reach, or saying, I know the answer to that. I just can’t remember it at the moment.” For correction of this, you need to exercise the retrieval magnet until it can pull out 8 or 9 things. (If you did Storage at the same time, it would grow as well, and the gap would stay big and though you remember and retrieve more, you would still be “forgetful” since you are not remembering a large percentage of what was stored. It’s important to close the gap)

 

Now let’s say you stored 10 things you heard, and you have a really powerful memory magnet, and you can pull out 13 things! Where do the other 3 come from? It’s scary what people can come up with when they have a stronger memory magnet than their storage capability. This is often a tough one for teens, who will believe you said they could go somewhere or do something, when you know you said no such thing. If this happens often, it can lead to a mistrust for authority figures or a belief that your teen is lying. The imagined memories they retrieve are very real to them.

 

Now, if we exercise auditory reverse, we can actually make this situation worse rather than better. The solution is to build Storage strength only, until it surpasses the power of the retrieval magnet. You have to build it to being able to store at least 15 items, a little bit more than retrieval.

 

And finally, let’s say you stored 5 and retrieved 3. Although that is somewhat in balance, it’s pretty weak. In this case, you would exercise BOTH storage and retrieval. Memory storage and retrieval are exercised in different ways. 

 

If you need work on your memory, call my friends at Breakthroughs in Learning. 519-888-6697, or visit their website atwww.getyourbreakthrough.com