Have you ever found yourself in a heated debate over a memory dispute with a fri

Question

Have you ever found yourself in a heated debate over a memory dispute with a friend or family member where both you and the other person swear that their details of a memory are accurate? This week we are going to take a closer look at this phenomenon. After reading about memory in your textbook, discuss the following points:

Describe the processes of memory consolidation, recall, and reconsolidation.

Based on your understanding of these processes, what happens to older memories that are recalled and then reconsolidated multiple times?

In the above scenario, why do both people feel so strongly that their version of the event being recalled is the correct version?

If the memory of the event being recalled is 20 years old, can either person be 100% accurate in the recall of the details? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

Memory consolidation is the process where our brains convert short-term memories into long-term ones. The more frequently signals are passed, the stronger the synapses become. This process, called potentiation, is believed to play a major role in the learning and memory processes. When two neurons fire at the same time repeatedly, they become more likely to fire together in the future. Eventually, these two neurons will become sensitized to one another. As we acquire new experiences, information, and memories, our brains create more and more of these connections. Essentially, the brain can rearrange itself, establishing new connections while weeding out old ones. By rehearsing or recalling information over and over again, these neural networks become strengthened. For example, if you study the same material regularly over a long period, the pathways involved in remembering that information becomes stronger. The repeated firing of the same neurons makes it more likely that those same neurons will be able to repeat that firing again in the future. People often think of memories as permanent, but just because a memory has been consolidated does not mean that it can't be lost. In fact, researchers have found that memories often need to be reconsolidated once they have been recalled. The process of recalling and reconsolidating a memory can help maintain and strengthen information in long-term memory. It might seem as though lots of the so-called long-term memories have actually turned to dust because there are plenty of things you’ve forgotten: old addresses, passwords, deadlines for articles about the memory system that you promised to write.The problem here is not that it has disappeared, but rather that you can’t recall it. Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation.

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