UNIT ONE: STAGES OF MEMORY

6-session Memory Enhancement Course

UNIT ONE

Stages of Memory

Objectives

• Exploring aging and memory beliefs.

• Identifying the three stages of memory.

• Explaining why it may be difficult to

register information.

• Providing ways to exercise your mind.

• Easy to remember vs. Easy to forget

Remembering & Forgetting

“Aging equals memory loss and there is nothing we can do about it.”

OR

“Aging includes some changes in memory and with extra effort, we can

enhance our memory.”

What Do You Believe?

Brain Myth #1

You Can’t

Change Your Brain

Plasticity & the Changing Brain

Neuroplasticity: the changing of neurons and the organization of their networks. They function by experience.

Neurogenesis: Nerve growth and development.

• 3 Stages in Remembering:

Registering Retaining

Retrieving

Basic Principles of How Memory Works

Registering

Attitude

Interest

Attention

Organization

AttitudeDesire & Self-confidence

InterestHow important is it?

AttentionConcentration & the 5 Senses

OrganizationAssociation and Familiarity

Reasons Information May be Difficult to Register

1. Lack of self-confidence in ability to remember

2. Boredom or no intention of paying attention to trivial info

3. Distraction or not paying attention

4. Impaired vision or hearing

Reasons Information May be Difficult to Register

5. Difficulty concentrating

6. Difficulty summarizing information into effective clues

7. Difficulty linking new info with what is known

Retaining

• Short-term memory (STM):

– Forgotten in ~ 30 seconds unless rehearsed

– STM is easily disrupted with limited capacity

Retaining

• Long-term memory (LTM):

– Declarative

– Procedural

Retrieving

• Recall– Searching for specific information – Reproducing the information

Example:

What is the Capital of Vermont?

__________________

Retrieving

• Recognition– Selecting what you already know from

the information presented

• Example: What is the capital of Vermont?

A. Brattleboro

B. Montpelier

C. Rutland

D. Cabot

Successful Retrieval Using Recall & Recognition

Occurs when: 1. The information is registered well.

2. It is stored efficiently.

3. It is found when you need it.

Let’s Recall!

3 “R”s of Remembering

Registering Retaining RetrievingAttitude LTM Recall

Interest STM Recognition

Attention Rehearsal

Organization

Memory Analogies

• Conveyor belt

• Desktop

• Can you think of one?

Neurobics = Exercising Your Mind!

How? Learning to play a musical instrument Playing Scrabble® or Sudoku Doing crossword puzzles Making new friends Starting a new hobby Learning a foreign language Volunteering Staying informed about world events Taking classes

30-Second Game

“Brainwork”

• Learning to play a musical instrument• Playing Scrabble® • Doing cross word puzzles• Making new friends• Starting a new hobby• Learning a foreign language• Volunteering• Staying informed about world events• Taking Classes

Customizable slide for organization

Organization Logo Here