How is long term memory organized

It is any set of nodes and links between them in the web of memory. Schemas form frameworks of mental concepts established from patterns of already stored information. These clusters of information that reflect your knowledge, experience, and expectations about various aspect of the world are stored in multiple locations throughout your brain. These frameworks allow you to organize and interpret new information.

New memories are formed by adding new schemas or modifying old ones. These frameworks start off very basic, but get more and more complex as you gain additional information.

Since a schema framework already exists in your mind, it will influence how new information is interpreted and integrated into your memory. They will guide your recognition and understanding of new information by providing expectations about what should occur. When you see or hear something, you automatically infer the schema that is being referred to.

For example, if you hear the term car, you will remember characteristics about a car such as four wheels, steering wheel, doors, hood, trunk, etc…. One of the most recent theories of the organization of long-term memory is Connectionism. The theory of connectionism, also referred to as Parallel Distributed Processing or neural networks, asserts that long-term memory is organized by a connectionist networks.

In a connectionist network, information is stored in small units throughout the brain with connections between units or nodes of neurons. The human brain contains billions of neurons. Many of them connect to ten thousand other neurons.

Together they form neural networks. A neural network consists of large number of units joined together in a pattern of connections. Each unit or node depicts a neuron or a group of neurons. A neural network is made up of three layers of units: An input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. In a connectionist network, there is a collection of units or nodes where each node represents a concept. Connections between nodes represent learned associations. The information-processing model of memory characterizes human memory as much like a computer.

Information enters short-term memory a temporary store , and then some of this information is transferred into long-term memory a relatively permanent store , much like information being saved to the hard disk of a computer. Memories that are frequently accessed become stronger and easier to recall.

Accessing these memories over and over again strengthens the neural networks in which the information is encoded, leading to the easier recollection of the information.

When information is needed, it is called forth out of this long-term storage using environmental cues, much like accessing a saved folder on your computer. However, these saved memories can be changed or sometimes even lost altogether.

Memories that are not recalled often can sometimes weaken or be replaced by other information. Studies suggest that memories are not saved in a static state and then pulled up with perfect clarity. Researchers have found that memories are transformed every single time they are accessed. Neurons first encode memories in the cortex and hippocampus. Each time a memory is recalled, it is then re-encoded by a similar, but not identical, set of neurons.

Accessing memories often helps make them stronger, yet the research has found that this re-encoding can have an impact on how the information is remembered. Subtle details may change, and certain aspects of the memory may be strengthened, weakened, or even lost altogether depending on which neurons are activated. Memories can be surprisingly fragile and susceptible to change, misinformation , and interference. Memory expert Elizabeth Loftus has demonstrated how easily false memories can be triggered.

Why is long-term memory so susceptible to these inaccuracies? In some cases, people miss important details about events. To fill in these missing gaps in information, the brain sometimes fabricates details that seem to make sense.

Older memories can also interfere with the formation of new ones, making it difficult to recall what actually happened. Information can be kept in short-term memory for around 15 to 30 seconds, but it may stay longer if it is actively rehearsed or maintained. Implicit memories tend to be the most durable form of long-term memory.

While explicit memory of declines with age, healthy adults typically maintain strong implicit memories as they grow older. Strategies that may help improve your long-term memory include exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and using cognitive training to strengthen your memory skills.

Long-term memory plays a vital role in daily life, allowing you to build a foundation of information that allows you to live your life. While it is easy to think of memories as something similar to files on a computer, research has shown that long-term memory is both enduring yet susceptible to error. Ever wonder what your personality type means?

Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: current models and their origins. Front Pharmacol. Zlotnik G, Vansintjan A. Memory: an extended definition. The best way to learn is constant repetition.

I though that memory was just memories and did not realize that there was so many different categorizations for memories. References: Ormrod, J. Learning theories and instruction Laureate custom edition. New York: Pearson. Thank you Ms. Malamed for this LTM user guide. There are so many ideas and strategies to provide effective learning that it is exciting and confusing all at the same time.

When you have designed courses in the past how have you encouraged the elaboration process? Are there specific techniques you have that help to pair the semantic memories with the episodic memories the learner may have? Thanks again for this information. I look forward to following your blog. Your email address will not be published.