We all have memories. Some things are forgotten after a while, but some things we remember well even after years. That's how we're going to talk about the memories that stay with us throughout our lives. This is what we call long-term memory .
What is Long-Term Memory?
Simply put, long-term memory is a place in our brains that's like a big archive. It's a place where you can store the things you learn, your experiences, all of this permanently. The amazing thing is, there's no limit to how much space there is in this storage! You can store as much information as you want, even for years, maybe even a lifetime.
So, do you know what the main function of this is? We have short-term memories that we remember every day, and that is to give them a permanent basis. That is, after your short-term memories go into this long-term storage, you can take those memories out again at any time. Think about it, the answer to a question on TV, the number of the house you lived in when you were a child, or what you had for dinner last night, that's how you remember things.
Are there types of long-term memory?
Yes, there are two main types of long-term memory. Let's see what they are.
Declarative Memory or Explicit Memory
This is the type of memory we store consciously. That is, things like facts, events, and places. You are constantly adding new things to this memory store, and you recall those things when you need them. Think about a lesson you learned in school, a memory of a trip you took, or the location of a friend's house.
There are two more sub-parts of this declarative memory:
Semantic Memory
This refers to the memories you have learned about your surroundings and the world, related to general knowledge. For example, you know things like 'an elephant is a big animal', 'ice is cold', 'the capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte' because of this semantic memory . This is like a little encyclopedia in your head.
Episodic Memory or Autobiographical Memory
These are memories related to events and experiences in your personal life. More precisely, they are like parts of your life story. Whether it's your first birthday, your first day of school, a happy day when you passed an exam, or a sad event, these are included in this episodic memory (Episodic Memory or Autobiographical Memory) . It's like a movie of your own life! Do you remember the first time you had a fight with a friend? That's also a type of memory.
Nondeclarative Memory or Implicit Memory
This is a little different. This type of memory is stored in a way that we don't consciously realize. That is, you learn something, you form a habit, but you don't really realize that you're learning it. But you can use that ability at any time.
Think about how to tie your shoelaces, how to ride a bike, or how to type on a keyboard. You may not remember exactly how you learned these things. But you can do them. Those are the things that belong to this nondeclarative memory (Nondeclarative Memory or Implicit Memory) . This also has four other sub-parts. Let's look at those too.
Procedural Memory
This is the memory that helps you perform certain tasks. That is, how to do something in an orderly manner. This includes both executive skills, such as planning and problem-solving, and motor skills, which involve muscle coordination. For example, how to turn on your phone, how to make a coffee, and how to drive a car.
Think about the days when you first learned to ride a bike. How difficult was it at first? Keeping your balance, pedaling, holding the handlebars... But after a while, you just get the hang of it. You can even talk and ride. That ability is stored in this procedural memory .
Priming and Perceptual Memory
What happens in this is that you remember something you saw, heard, or experienced before, and that helps you understand and learn new information. Simply put, it's like an old memory leading to something new. For example, when you see the color red, you can choose a 'stop' sign because you know that sign is also red. Or, when you hear the word 'food' and then see the word 'bread', you can quickly recognize it. Because there is already an association between the two words in your mind.
Associative Learning or Classical Conditioning
This is about associating one thing in your memory with another. That is, you connect something you already know with new information. This makes it easier for us to make connections between things. The most famous example in history is Pavlov's dog experiment. There, because food was given when a bell rang, the dog salivated when it heard the bell ring later. The dog had associated the sound with food.
If we take an example from everyday life, sometimes when you smell a certain smell, you can suddenly remember an event from your childhood. This happens because that smell and that event are connected in your mind. Sometimes when you smell the school canteen, you remember your school days.
Nonassociative Learning
What happens here is that over time, you change the way you react to something. That is, you adapt to the things around you. Imagine, you bought a new refrigerator, and it keeps making noise. At first, the noise may bother you a lot. But after a while, you get used to the noise, and then it doesn't bother you as much. That's how a change in response happens here. Or, like a person living in a house on the side of the road, who is initially afraid of the sound of traffic, but over time, he gets used to it.
Where is this long-term memory stored?
Okay, now let's look at where these long-term memories are formed and stored in our brains. Actually, all memories are first formed in a part of your brain called the hippocampus . This is located in the temporal lobes of your brain. These parts are located on either side of your head, on either side of your ears, behind your cheekbones.
However, each type of long-term memory is formed by the connection of nerve cells (neurons) in different parts of the brain. Let's see how:
- Associative learning memory: This is formed by the amygdala and cerebellum .
- Declarative memory: The hippocampus is mainly important for this.
- Episodic memory: In this , the hippocampus , temporal lobe, and neocortex (cerebral cortex) work together.
- Nonassociative learning memory: This occurs through reflex pathways , particularly in the hippocampus .
- Nondeclarative memory: This involves parts of the brain called the Basal Ganglia , Cerebellum, and Amygdala .
- Priming and perceptual memory: This is formed in the neocortex .
- Procedural memory: This is helped by the striatum , the cerebellum, and the motor cortex (located in the frontal lobe).
- Semantic memory: The Temporal Cortex (located in the temporal lobe) and the Prefrontal Cortex (located in the frontal lobe) are important for storing this.
You see, even for a single memory, different parts of the brain are connected by their nature. It's like a team working together. Keeping all these parts healthy is very important for our memory.
How long does long-term memory last?
This is a very strange thing. There is no specific time limit on how long a long-term memory lasts. In many cases, some memories can last for years, even decades. You probably have memories that last a lifetime. Think about an event from your childhood, maybe you still remember it, right? Also, an important lesson you learned, a beautiful day spent with a loved one... these seem like they will never be forgotten, right?
But here's the thing. Although memories can be stored indefinitely, as we age, retrieving memories from this storehouse, or recalling them , may not work as well as it used to. The reason for this is that our brains slow down a bit as we age. So, it may take a little longer to find some memories.
"It's not that the memories are lost, it's just that it's a little harder to find the way back to them."
Also, some medical conditions , or severe physical or mental traumatic events, can cause memory loss or long-term memory loss . If you have any memory problems, it's definitely best to talk to a doctor . Don't worry, it's normal.
Why is long-term memory so important to us?
In fact, this long-term memory is a very important part of who you are . You can retrieve information from this part of the brain, often without even thinking about it. It helps you do everyday tasks like brushing your teeth in the morning, combing your hair, or making a cup of coffee.
This database in your brain is why you can remember your grandparents' birthdays, ride a bike, or remember the capital of the state you live in. Everything you've learned, your experiences, your interests, all of these memories combine to make up your personality.
So, if you have an injury or condition that affects your brain, it can put your long-term memory at risk. Also, natural changes as you age can affect your ability to recall memories. Remember, if you have any memory problems, never be afraid to talk to a doctor. They can help you.
Summary / Take Home Message
Okay, so here are some of the most important things you need to remember from what we've talked about today:
- Long-Term Memory is a wonderful place in our brain where we can store our experiences and what we have learned for years, perhaps even a lifetime.
- There are two main types of this: Declarative Memory (things that we consciously remember, e.g. facts, events) and Nondeclarative Memory (things that we learn without even realizing it, habits, e.g. riding a bicycle).
- Various parts of the brain, especially areas like the hippocampus , work together to form and store all of these memories.
- As we age, the process of retrieving memories may slow down, but not completely. However, some medical conditions or traumatic events can damage memory.
- This long-term memory is very important to your daily life, to who you are. Therefore, if you have a problem with your memory, it is very important to seek medical advice .
So, your memory is like the most precious thing in your life. It is our responsibility to take good care of it. Because, our memories are what make us who we are, right?
` Memory, long-term memory, brain, hippocampus, types of memory, neuroscience, mental health
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