Memory – Brain Activities & Functions

A complex set of brain activities and functions, constitutes to the process of storing and retrieving information, from ones brain. The place where this information is often stored to and retrieved from is called the memory. There are two distinct methods, through which our brains deal with the concept of memory management and memory development; the first one being the mechanism of the brain to store one’s life experiences, often referred to as
‘autobiographical memory’ and the other one being the mechanism used by the brain to store information about the world around us, this is refereed to as ‘semantic memory’. Both these memory mechanisms of the brains work in different ways and need some memory development and management. For example one may remember all their experiences as a child, but may not be able to grasp information read or learnt as a student, in which case it is the semantic memory that may need more development and management.

There are many ways in which you can practice memory development and management. Memory plays a very crucial role, while archiving and understanding new information, for example when you are reading an intriguing novel, or maybe preparing for your final exams, and trying to remember information previously stored in your semantic memory, during your classes. Thus memory development should be a crucial and integral part of a child growing process. In order to practice the mechanism of memory development, it is very vital to recognize the type of memory a person may have, this is again dependent on the two hemispheres, dependent on which are the two memory development techniques.

The left hemisphere of your brain controls the logical memory and the right hemisphere of your brain controls and manages the symbolic memory. According to neuropsychology, it is very easy to identify, what kind of memory one has. If you can easily remember something while reading something or solving math equations comes easily to you, than you memory is a logical one, and if it is easier for you to remember, by looking at pictures or signs, your memory may be a symbolic based one.

Most people who have a logical memory can employ memory development techniques, like reading as much as possible, parents of children who have shown a logical memory, should encourage their children to read, giving further impetus to memory development, from the child hood itself. In this case techniques like bed reading, would be very useful in developing their reading interests, which will help in logical memory development. Usually, according to some neuro science research, it is recommended that children having a logical memory, should read at least for thirty minutes every day. The more they read, the better the memory development.

People, who do have symbolic memory, do associate symbols, sights, smells, etc. with particular information while storing it in their memory. Today, Neuro science research suggests, that deliberate association, while filing away memory, for people having symbolic memory storage representation, is a good idea for further memory development. Usually, associations are of three kinds; pictures, sounds and trials or movements.

All these three associations can be used for memory development, in your children from their child hood itself. Associating events, sights and smells, appeals to children. Various studies carried out in neuropsychology, suggest that people, with associative memory, are able to retrieve information faster, the memory storage might be disheveled, as compared to people with logical memory, who tend to store most of their memories in large chunks. Associative memory development techniques can be combined with one another, for e.g. a sound can be combined with a picture, maybe an infomercial of sorts, to develop memory in children and adults alike.

Whether a person has a logical memory or a symbolic memory, memory development can be practiced throughout ones life time, with various memory development aides and exercises available in the market or on the internet today. There are scores of memory strategies and plans, which help in memory development, that are available freely on the internet, when searched for in your favorite search engine. Memory development does involve a lot of practicing, organization, and understanding, of how ones memory works and how one can improve memory.