The Five Senses In Control Of Memory And Human Memory

1009 Words3 Pages

Human Memory The human brain is an amazing organ that can do so many things. The brain is in control of body movements, thoughts, and is the place where many memories are stored. Memory is our ability to encode, store, retain, and subsequently recall information and past experience in the human brain. Human memory is a complex, brain-wide process that defines each individual. There are many different branches of the human memory, a few of them are sensory memory, short-term and working memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory is the shortest element of memory and lasts under one second. This memory allows the brain to keep specific information which involves the senses after the original information is experienced. Sensory memory uses the five senses to help us remember sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes. Stimuli, when detected by the five senses, can be intentionally ignored and disappear almost instantly, or perceived and enter sensory memory. Conscious attention is not required and this process is considered completely outside conscious control. The brain handles items that will …show more content…

Chunking is the method by which large amounts of information is organized into segments so more information can be stored in short-term memory at one time. Although short-term memory is assumed to decay over time, items can be retained up to one minute, depending upon content. By repetition, information can re-enter short-term storage and be retained for a longer period; however, when several items are stored in short-term memory at the same time, they compete with one another for recall, and new information slowly pushes out the older content. Frequently people want to finish tasks stored in short-term memory quickly to avoid interruption from outside sources that may cause forgetfulness

Open Document