Attend Factsheet 1c:
What is Memory?
Memory is the facility by which the mind stores and remembers information. Memory can be classified in many ways such as by the length of time, type of information, stages involved to remember, the kind of remembering, and whether the memories are from before or after a brain injury.
Length of Memory
The three main storage systems, which each retain information for different time periods.
1. SENSORY MEMORY holds information for less than a second. It is this memory system that allows us to make sense of a moving picture and language. Those with damage to this system do not think of themselves as having a memory problem, but instead think they have perceptual problems/language problems.
2. IMMEDIATE OR WORKING MEMORY stores information for a couple seconds. It is this memory system that we use to remember a new number very quickly to dial, but if interrupted we would have to look it up again. Most people who’ve acquired brain injuries do not have particular problems with this system.
3. LONG-TERM MEMORY stores information anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 years. There are different types of Long-Term Memory. Delayed Memory is the storage of knowledge of events or information that was presented as recently as a few minutes ago. Recent Memory is the storage of knowledge over the last few days or weeks. Remote Memory is the storage of knowledge over several years
Types of information in Memories
Another way in which memory is structured is in terms of the different types of information that is remembered. SEMANTIC MEMORY is the system used for remembering general knowledge, the meaning of words, social customs. EPISODIC MEMORY is the system used for remembering personal experiences, such as what happened a few minutes ago. This most commonly presents memory problems for those who acquired a brain injury. PROCEDURAL MEMORY is the system used for remembering learning how to ride a bike. The skill is improved with practice but the memory of how the skill was attained is not needed. The memory of doing the skill task is not needed.
Stages involved in remembering
There are three stages to remember something: 1. Encoding is getting the information into memory. 2. Storage is keeping the information in memory. 3. Retrieval means attaining the information you need when you require it.
Types of remembering
The main two types of remembering are Recall and Recognition. Recall is actively finding the information that is required to be remembered. Recognition is where you are not required to recall the information, but recognise it when heard or seen.
Amnesia
Is the partial or total loss of memory, Amnesia is the failure of some part of the memory system. Amnesia has the following symptoms - difficulty learning and remembering information of all kinds and difficulty remembering some information acquired before amnesia started.
Brain injury and memory impairment
Memory is often affected by brain injuries because there are many structures within the brain that are involved in memory, any injuries to these structures could impair one’s memory. Remembering involves taking information, storing it and retrieving it when needed, any injury to any of those parts could hinder on their performance abilities.
Taking the information
People with brain injuries have problems taking in information. It is possible they may have language or perceptual problems inhibiting them from retaining information, because the information is distorted initially. It is best to Simplify and Reduce the amount information that is required for the person to remember. It is important to make sure the person with an acquired brain injury understands the information, by having them repeat it in their own words or link the information to something they know.
Keeping the information
To help someone retain information, test the person immediately on the new information they just heard or saw, then test again after a short delay and again after a little bit of a longer delay. Repeating this process with the intervals slowly lengthening usually leads to better retention of information.
Attaining the information
In some cases it is possible that you have learned something, but cannot attain it when you want. It is important to help a person with acquired brain injury by giving them a hook to be able to reach that information they learned. For instance, giving the first letter of a name may help the person remember the whole name. People with memory problems usually find that they can remember better if they are in the same room with the same people who were there when they first learned or experience the memory, therefor learning should not just be done in a classroom or therapist’s office, but in everyday life. Mood can also affect ability to remember. Therefore it is also important to teach in a number of different moods. Cues and prompts also help with remembering.
Contact
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