Memory and Learning Our brains are often compared to computers in the way that we process information. We must: Encode, Store, then Retrieve info But problems can interrupt or interfere with any of those steps, and then you’re pretty much left hanging onto garbage that may not be helpful or accurate. You are more likely to remember a funny joke rather than a Math formula. Therefore you must try harder to remember information that is important to your job or your education.

Attention In order to remember something, we must pay attention to it. Is it hard to pay attention? It can be: Drugs, Fatigue, Illness, Noise and Emotion All of these things can interfere with paying attention to something so that you can notice what is going on. For example: A mechanic is talking to a customer while working, now he can’t remember if he finished what he was doing. You’re talking to a friend while driving and lose track of where you are (did you pass the street you were looking for?)

If you try to perform a task for too long your performance will also go down. Hence, whether you are doing something you like, or studying for a class, you need to take breaks. Otherwise information will be harder to process and easier to lose or forget. Studies show that if you are studying in the evening, and then go to bed (and sleep well), you are more likely to remember more. It is unclear why this happens, but it is suggested that during the night, your brain continues to process recently covered information. However, “learn while you are asleep” programs don’t work. The brain cannot absorb new information while the body is asleep.

Have you ever….. Lost your sunglasses… ………….And they were on your head? Lost your car keys ………….And they were in your non-dominant hand? Put something where “you wouldn’t forget it” ………….And you forgot Someone asked you a question and you didn’t understand them at all …………And then you answered them Why does that happen? Lack of awareness, not paying full attention to what you’re doing, recent memories fade exceptionally fast (especially if they are not seen as meaningful at the time – fading within 3 seconds sometimes)

Sensory memory takes in everything (really), but it starts to degrade immediately - - Unless you do something to capture that information. Short term memory keeps information for a little longer (about 12 seconds), but again, unless that information is really important to you, it starts to degrade. Long term memory. Once information is here, we think that it stays for as long as those neurons are still alive. A safety officer on an airline gives you detailed information about where the emergency exits are and how to inflate your life vest when you get on an airplane While the safety briefing is going on a very sexy person tells you their phone number and to “..look them up.” What are you likely to remember??

What is a Mnemonic device? This is something that will help you to remember or help you to process from short term memory into long term memory. Chunking – Breaking down, or putting like things together Linking - New information to old information Rhyming – Like making a song Rote rehearsal - Repeating over and over again Examples of Mnemonics that you’ve used? Popular ones that we might know?

Forgetting Forgetting is the act of not being able to recall information. In many cases this is a temporary loss. Think of all the things that you must hold in your mind at any one time? In many cases, when we are calm and can think clearly (without being pressured, this information comes back). Can you think of any examples where you forgot but remembered later?

Constructed Memory Sometimes when the mind does not know exactly what has happened, the brain will “fill-in-the-gaps” with what it thinks happened. This is not the same as “lying to yourself.” In this case, you do remember the big parts, you just can’t recall details very well. I also call this “family story” when people have strong memories from childhood that they probably don’t really remember. What has happened is that they have seen photos of an event, heard their parents or older friends talk about that event. This information is integrated and then reinforced each time it’s told. Now you “remember” it too, just like it was yesterday!

Learning Do we constantly learn, or does information pass us by unless we focus on it? The truth is that we pick up large amounts of information all the time. However we don’t hang onto most of that information as much of it is of very little use to us. If it is helpful or unusual, then that information is more likely to stick with us.

Learning involves picking up new information or new behaviours Learning involves picking up new information or new behaviours. This is called acquisition. Most often, new behaviours are not explicitly taught, but that we learn by watching others. When we are at school, or on the job, learning comes mostly by doing. We practice the skills that we need in order to succeed in our jobs. The more motivated you are to learn new information, the easier it will be for you.

Learning The thing about learning is that you never really know what’s important until that new situation comes up. What might not seem important now, may be really important later. The more informed you are, the better decisions you make. Think about… Retirement – have you started saving? Do you know how? Old age - Do you have a will? Will you have good insurance? Health Care – Do you have good insurance that will pay for surgery and/or medicines?