encourage information retention is known as Mnemonic (Kelly, 2009). In this technique, musical nodes and memory tools are used for learning material. For example;
We all remember complete ABC with the rhyme.
When I was a kid while solving algorithms problems I use to remember a phrase (some people have curly brown hair through proper brushing). This phrase helps me to remember all three formulas of algorithms related to Cos, Sin, Tan.
Forgetting an Intentional or Unintentional Act
According to Jones (2009) forgetting can be both intentional act and unintentional act. Some memories are intentionally forgotten by humans; such memories are known as suppressing memories. Memories which are forgotten unintentionally are known as repressing memories. Examples
The memory of intentionally forgetting the fight with a best friend
Forgetting someone’s name is unintentional act
Forgetting the lyrics of a song after listening to it numerous times is an unintentional act
Recovering Repressed Memories
Repressed memories can be recovered (Loftus, 1993) in the form of flashbacks or also through some external stimuli (medications or therapies). Either way these memories do not come in right sequence (Grow Media, 2005). These memories in form of flashbacks can be easily manipulated and can be false memories.
I have phobia of lizards without knowing about the event after which I got afraid of lizards
After having numerous fights in childhood, we still have good relation with siblings because the memories have been repressed.
Events and conditions which invoke extreme and intense emotions are most likely remembered by the human beings. For example, I remember I was planning to visit a friend at the incident to 9/11. The incident became a historical event and memories related to that event are still in my mind.
A set of diverse cognitive capacities which retain and re-enact information and past experiences is known as ‘Memory’. The factors affecting the memory can be both internal and external (Krell, 1990).
Internal and External Factors
According to Warnock (1987) internal factors that contribute their role in affecting memory are age, aptitude, attitude, behavior, neurological factors cognitive style, hormonal imbalance of a person. According to Spada (1993) neurological factors such as tumors and abscesses in memory domain of the brain cause memory dysfunction and may cause permanent diminishing of memory.
External factors which affect memory are environmental factors, contexts of learning and teaching, input, interaction and. Physical and social activities also affect the memory.
I observe that when I pass an exam with a good grade, I become positively motivated. In the next exam of that particular subject I usually study with motivation and my memory recalling power increases considerably.
Emotions and Memory
Any event or occasion that involves extreme emotions on the person’s part is likely to become a permanent part of that person’s memory. According to Mark (2011), a trauma can cause a person considerable damage in his personality. This is because the trauma has imprinted itself into the memory of that person.
I passed my intermediate exams scoring above average marks. Though my expectations were high, I got even higher result which involved emotions of delight, pleasure and joy. Thus it is stored in my memory even when several years have passed after that day.
Age and Memory
Memory loss can occur with the aging process. Following are the reasons of decline in memory with age:
Human brain has a region that is responsible for the formation of memory and its retrieval. This region is called ‘hippocampus’. As the human body ages, so does the hippocampus region which suffers deterioration due to aging (Connor, 2001).
According to Smith (2012) with the aging process the growth factors of the human body also start to age. As the growth hormones age, the memory abilities of the person declines.
In old age, a decrease in the blood flow to the brain can stimulate changes in the cognitive skills. The change in cognitive skills can cause impairi