is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences.

Memory is the ability to encode, store and recall information. The three main processes involved in human memory are:

encoding, storage and recall (retrieval).

processing and combining of received information

Encoding or registration: receiving,

Storage: creation of a permanent record

of the encoded information

back the stored information in response to some cue for use in a process or activity

Retrieval, recall or recollection: calling

3 TYPES OF MEMORY
1.SENSORY MEMORY 2.SHORT TERM MEMORY

3.LONG TERM MEMORY

SENSORY MEMORY
Sensory memory corresponds approximately to the initial 200500 milliseconds after an item is perceived. The ability to look at an item, and remember what it looked like with just a second of observation, or memorization, is an example of sensory memory.

Sensory memory is the shortest-term element of memory. It is the ability to retain impressions of sensory information after the original stimuli have ended. It acts as a kind of buffer for stimuli received through the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, which are retained accurately, but very briefly. For example, the ability to look at something and remember what it looked like with just a second of observation is an example of sensory memory.

SHORT TERM MEMORY

Short-term memory allows recall for a period of several seconds to a minute without rehearsal. Its capacity is also very limited. Modern estimates of the capacity of short-term memory are lower, typically on the order of 45 items

Short-term memory acts as a kind of scratch-pad for temporary recall of the information which is being processed at any point in time, and has been referred to as "the brain's Post-it note". It can be thought of as the ability to remember and process information at the same time. It holds a small amount of information (typically around 7 items or even less) in mind in an active, readily-available state for a short period of time (typically from 10 to 15 seconds, or sometimes up to a minute).

LONG TERM MEMORY

long-term memory can store much larger quantities of information for potentially unlimited duration (sometimes a whole life span). Its capacity is immeasurably large. For example, given a random seven-digit number we may remember it for only a few seconds before forgetting, suggesting it was stored in our shortterm memory. On the other hand, we can remember telephone numbers for many years through repetition; this information is said to be stored in long-term memory.

Topographic memory is the ability to

orient oneself in space, to recognize and follow an itinerary, or to recognize familiar places. Getting lost when traveling alone is an example of the failure of topographic memory. This is often reported among elderly patients who are evaluated for dementia. The disorder could be caused by multiple impairments, including difficulties with perception, orientation, and memory.

Almost everyone has a lapse of memory from time to time. You can't remember where you parked your car or can't remember a name. But when memory loss interferes with your work, social activities and daily tasks, you may need medical care.

Memory loss may be due to many conditions such as: small strokes in the brain diabetes, high blood pressure nutritional deficiencies reactions to medications and alcoholism

Even depression can cause symptoms similar to dementia. Memory loss itself does not mean you have dementia.

1. DECAY THEORY 2. RETRIEVAL FAILURE 3. INTERFERENCE

Age associated memory impairment is a label for the general degradation of memory which results from ageing. It is a natural process, seen in many animals as well as humans, which often begins in our 20s and tends to get noticeably worse as we reach our 50s. While some specific abilities do decline with age, though, overall memory generally remains strong for most people through their 70s.

a condition in which memory (either stored memories or the process of committing something to memory) is disturbed or lost, to a greater extent than simple everyday forgetting or absent-mindedness. Amnesia may result either from organic or neurological causes (damage to the brain through physical injury, neurological disease or the use of certain drugs), or from functional or psychogenic causes (psychological factors, such as mental disorder, post-traumatic stress or psychological defense mechanisms).

Sufferers exhibit serious loss of cognitive ability, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing, and particularly in the areas of memory, attention, language and problem solving.

Alzheimer's disease or AD
is a progressive, degenerative and ultimately fatal brain disease, in which cell to cell connections in the brain are lost. It is the most common form of dementia, and is generally (though not exclusively) diagnosed in patients over the age of about 65.

is a chronic and progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills, speech and other functions. It is usually characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, and a slowing or loss of physical movement, but a high proportion of sufferers also experience mild cognitive impairment as the disease advances, including executive dysfunction (impaired problem solving, fluctuations in attention, etc), slowed cognitive speed and memory problems, and with recalling learned information.

Causes of memory loss include:

Alcohol or illicit drug intoxication An event in which not enough oxygen was going to the brain (heart stopped, stopped breathing, complications from receiving anesthesia) Brain growths (caused by tumors or infection) Brain infections such as Lyme disease, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS Brain surgery, such as surgery to treat seizure disorders Cancer treatments, such as brain radiation, bone marrow transplant, or after chemotherapy Certain medications

Depression, bipolar disorder Drugs such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines Electroconvulsive therapy (especially if it is long-term) Epilepsy that is not well controlled with medications Head trauma or injury Heart bypass surgery

Illness that results in the loss of, or damage to nerve cells Long-term alcohol abuse Migraine headache Mild head injury or concussion Nutritional problems (vitamin deficiencies such as low vitamin B12)

Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve.

Memory is best practiced through association.

Association also works if you create vivid, memorable images.

Group information together to help you remember them; this is called chunking.

Repeat information you're trying to memorize to yourself every few days or so.

spaced repetition learning

Exercise your brain.

Give yourself time to form a memory.

Sleep well

Learning & Memory

Learning and memory are closely related concepts.
Learning is the acquisition of skill or knowledge, while memory is the expression of what youve acquired. Another difference is the speed with which the two things happen. If you acquire the new skill or knowledge slowly and laboriously, thats learning.

If acquisition occurs instantly, thats making a memory.