The Evolution Of Memory Systems

2039 Words5 Pages

Memory has many functions in animals and humans. Without memory, animals and humans would not survive (Henke, 2010). The main idea of evolutionary psychology is that the structures in the brain that are responsible for memory are similar to one another (Nairne, 2010). It is likely that memory systems evolved due to pressures or problems that our ancestors faced (Nairne, 2010). This suggests that memory mechanisms probably come from solving problems in the environment our ancestors once lived in (Nairne, 2010). However, we cannot know exactly what our ancestral environment looked like (Nairne, 2010). We can suggest that our ancestors faced recurring problems such as: hunting for food, being hunted themselves by predators, or finding/making shelter (Nairne, 2010). These recurring problems allowed for the adaption of behavior (Nairne, 2010). Studies show that we are able to recall information easier if it has to do with survival and fitness (Nairne, 2010). This is due to the emotional arousal that is caused by a situation in which we have to survive (Nairne, 2010). …show more content…

The memory systems include: episodic, procedural, semantic memory, classical conditions, priming and non-associative learning (Henke, 2010). All memory systems are independent of each other and are controlled by different regions of the brain (Henke, 2010). It’s very probable that memory systems did not evolve for the purpose of memorizing everything (Nairne, 2010). If all the information ever presented is stored, there could be storage problems (Nairne, 2010). To avoid this, selectivity of memory is required and memory systems can respond to specific fitness-related information that it receives due to the incorporated biases of the various types of memory (Nairne, 2010). This literature review will focus on investigating the mechanism behind procedural memory and examining the effects of music on human

Show More
Related

  • Budget Cuts are Destroying Music Education: Music Programs are Essential to Education

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Laurence O’Donnell, “Music is thought to link all of the emotional, spiritual, and physical elements of the universe.” This proves that music is more than a simple class teaching random notes. It is a common denominator between mind, body, and learning. One scholar shows that music causes a response that can affect a person’s mood; this is directly related to how a person acts upon their emotional response to music. He later talks about how music can have a positive effect on memorization and brain function (O’Donnell). The Center for New Discoveries in Learning stated, “Learning potential can be increased a minimum of five times by using 60 beats per minute music” (qtd. in O’Donnell). Most of the music that follows these types of beats is classical music such a Mozart and Bach. This is the type of music taught in schools, thus, enhancing a student’s ability to learn.

    Read More

  • Why Music Therapists Should be Employed in Every Hospital

    1840 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...s that long-term music memory consists of two forms: explicit and implicit functions. Explicit memory involves remembering personal and emotional recollections of the musical experience. Certain songs allow patients to remember contextual elements of their life. Implicit memory involves knowing how to do something, which is facilitated by non-conscious processes, including priming, procedural memory, or motor skills. Some patients with Alzheimer’s disease retain the ability to play instruments they played in their youth.

    Read More

  • Evaluation of Two Models Of Memory

    1417 Words  | 3 Pages

    a very good model for the time it was made and it is based on reliable

    Read More

  • A Broad Analysis of Memory

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    Have you ever wondered what allows us to be aware of the present? It is actually the past! Without knowledge of past information, we would be constantly confused during the present and incapable of almost everything. Hockenbury & Hockenbury (2012) describes memory to be, “…the mental processes that enable us to acquire, retain, and retrieve information”. Without the presence of either of these three processes, the other two would be obsolete. Many experiments have been conducted to better understand these processes and break them down into their basic components.

    Read More

  • Music Evoked Autobiographical Memory

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    Researchers found a significant main effect of sex but they did not see a significant interaction of sex and condition. Overall, the study found that faces evoked more memories than music did but music evoked more overall vivid memories than faces did. Faces may evoke more familiarity and be more prevalent in everyday life than a song and therefore may trigger more memories, however, music may evoke a stronger emotional tie to a memory and cause a sturdy connection in the mind and provoke a more vivid memory that can more easily be re-experienced. These results correlate with other research that suggests listening to music elicits highly pleasurable emotions, physiological responses, and brain regions that are linked with rewarding stimuli. The faces conditions evoked more external details than the music condition did, this could suggest that faces are more likely to refer to general events or lifetime periods than music which elicits a more emotional connection. The research also found that women reported more autobiographical memories than did men, irrespective to the conditions, these findings correspond which other research that shows that memories and encoding between men and women are very

    Read More

  • The Musical Brain

    823 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first thing that music influences is a little thing called “brain fitness.” Your brain, like other parts of your body can be strengthened and manipulated. Have you ever concentrated while working really hard on a puzzle and felt that your problem solving skills had improved? Solving a puzzle is one example of a brain exercise. There are various other exercises you can do. For instance, memory games, solving math problems, or solving various other problems that cause you to have to think outside of the box. But did you know that having musical instruction could also exercise parts of the brain just like a problem solving activity would? Music training can help increase your working memory as well as auditory learning. (Strickland). Music training can help flex a high-working memory load. It helps expand your working memory capacity, and therefore reduces impairing effects of a memory overload (Klemm). An experiment done with second graders from an elementary school showed proof of this. Group A received musical training, while Group B did not. They then were asked to take a quiz. Group A had shown a shift in mental processing to the l...

    Read More

  • The Mozart Effect: Don Campbell

    913 Words  | 2 Pages

    The correlation between music and individuals is a very heavily researched topic. This literature review will critically evaluate the claim made by Don Campbell (1997, p.24) that ‘playing Mozart makes babies smarter’. This review will look at the history of the Mozart effect and also look at a range of sources that support and also go against the claim that the Mozart effect makes babies smarter. These claims will be analysed through the three main measurements in relation the Mozart effect these are spatial reasoning, arousal and also mood.

    Read More

  • Mulit-Store Model of Memory vs. Working Memory Model

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    Atkinson, R.C. & Shiffrin, R.M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control process.

    Read More

  • Memory

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    Memory is the tool we use to learn and think. We all use memory in our everyday lives. Memory is the mental faculty of retaining and recalling past experiences. We all reassure ourselves that our memories are accurate and precise. Many people believe that they would be able to remember anything from the event and the different features of the situation. Yet, people don’t realize the fact that the more you think about a situation the more likely the story will change. Our memories are not a camcorder or a camera. Our memory tends to be very selective and reconstructive.

    Read More

  • Learning And Memory Essay

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    In order to understand the functional relationship between learning and memory we have to first define what both learning and memory are. Learning can be described as “the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). “Memory is the means by which we draw on our past experiences in order to use this information in the present” (Sternberg, 1999). Base on this definitions one can conclude memory is essential part of our lives. Without any memory of the past, we would not be able to operate in the present or reminisce about the future. We would not be able to remember what we did a few days ago, what we have accomplished today, or what we intend to do tomorrow. Without memory our ability to learn would not exist. Learning and Memory are linked to our cognitive abilities as well as that of animals. An example that can be used to show the relationship between learning and memory is the study of how a rat behaves in a maze. As we all know rats have been used in experimental mazes since at least the early 20th century. Hundreds if not thousands of studies have looked at how rats run different types of mazes, from T-maze, to radial arm mazes, and to water mazes. These maze studies help scientist study spatial learning and memory in rats. Maze studies helped us uncover general principles about learning that can be applied to several species, including mankind. In today’s modern societies, mazes tend to be used to determine whether different treatments affect learning and memory in rats. According to Kolata al, 2005 case study the tasks that comprise the learning battery were specifically chosen so that each one placed specific sensory, motor, motivational, and info...

    Read More

  • Essay On The Mozart Effect

    581 Words  | 2 Pages

    Music has been psychologically tested many times to determine whether or not it is a positive influence on memory. The Mozart effect has become a very popular theory, in which the belief that listening to Mozart’s classical music can improve one’s memory. This well known theory has become very influential, people are listening to Mozart while they study for tests and parents are even purchasing videos for their babies that supposedly use Mozart’s music to improve their child’s metal abilities at an early age. If calming Mozart symphonies can improve cognitive memory then does distracting more upbeat music harm the abilities of the brain to record information? Unpleasant music does effect the outcome of people’s scores on cognitive tasks, compared to people listening to pleasant music, like Mozart, who tend to do much better (Hallam, Price & Katsorou, 2002). The world’s fascination with Mozart and his music’s supposed ability to enrich people’s learning abilities is incredible, if it can ever truly be proven.

    Read More

  • Memory (SPEECH OUTLINE)

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    Central idea: Memory is a process of the brain which is prone to certain failures, although specific steps can be taken to guard against these failures.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Music on Memory

    2780 Words  | 6 Pages

    It can be proven, through literary research and personal experiences, that music has a positive effect on learning and memory. It can be concluded that these positive effects have an impact on patients with Alzheimer’s, on the motor skills and auditory memory of mentally disabled children, on students attempting to remember the subject in a manner that they are learning, and on the affectivity of advertisements. On a personal note, music has facilitated my ability to remember things, both positive and negative, a number of times. For example, in high school I memorized the days of the week in French by singing them along with a tune that was already familiar to me. I have also had multiple experiences in which I remember things that I do not want to remember, such as advertisements and negative experiences because they were accompanied with specific music.

    Read More

  • The Computer Evolution

    2687 Words  | 6 Pages

    The computer evolution has been an amazing one. There have been astonishing achievements in the computer industry, which dates back almost 2000 years. The earliest existence of the computer dates back to the first century, but the electronic computer has only been around for over a half-century. Throughout the last 40 years computers have changed drastically. They have greatly impacted the American lifestyle. A computer can be found in nearly every business and one out of every two households (Hall, 156). Our Society relies critically on computers for almost all of their daily operations and processes. Only once in a lifetime will a new invention like the computer come about.

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Music

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cooper, Belle. " How Music Affects and Benefits Your Brain."lifehacker.come. N.p., 11 22 2013. Web. 3

    Read More

More about The Evolution Of Memory Systems

Open Document