This paper highlights the advances in imaging technology that have allowed scientists to discover how memory works and the areas of the brain involved.
Abstract This paper looks at how the different advances in brainimaging-techniques have contributed to scientists increased ability to understand the concept of memory. It looks at the advent of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and what they have meant to the increased ability to understand and treat brain, and memory disorders.
From the Paper "For example, fMRI was found useful for research by Awh and colleagues (1999) to observe brain activations during the performance of a spatial working memory task. In this investigation, subjects were given a spatial working memory task and a control task. Using fMRI the researchers found a functionally distinct, region that showed sustained activity during the spatial working memory task, confirming the location for the neural bases for that function. In the past, researchers who wanted detailed studies of human brain activity struggled because they lacked effective investigative tools. In experiments with humans the best technologies brought only limited success in mapping the processes of consciousness."
Abstract This paper discusses the hypothesis of a psychology research study examining the effects of aging on loss of associative memory. The paper agrees with the study that memory functions are vulnerable to the effects of aging.
Abstract This paper explains that schizophrenia, a form of mental illness, was first identified about a century ago by Emil Krepelin, who called this condition "dementia praecox" because it occurred at a young age. The author points out that the Vulnerability Model suggests that schizophrenia is caused by a combination of interacting factors, including physical, psychological, and environmental events that work dysfunctionally to produce schizophrenia. The paper relates that research methods include autopsies of the brain, analysis of fetal development, studies of identical twins, and studies using brainimaging.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Causes
The Schizophrenic Brain Conclusion
From the Paper "Given the devastating nature of schizophrenia, researchers have put considerable effort into trying to determine the cause or causes of schizophrenia. Is it caused by nature (genetics, head injury, etc.) or nurture ? how we are raised? This nature vs. nurture debate has gone on throughout part of the 19th century and virtually all of the 20th. Kraepelin, who first described the disorder, believed that it was organic in origin. However, with the advent of Freudian thought, belief swung to the idea that our childhoods determined whether we would have mental illnesses as an adult or not."
Abstract The paper illustrates the relationship between stress load and stress response and its affect on working memory during the typical circadian cycle. The paper's methodological approach relies on the hypothesis that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be accurately utilized to identify neural activation patterns related to Cortisol that is released due to stress. The paper concludes that greater research is necessary in order to attain a better understanding of how Cortisol, through its derivatives and precursors, impacts the brain's ability to enable memory.
Outline:
Introduction
Stress Hormone: Cortisol
Cortisol Receptor Distribution
The Frontal Lobe and Working Memory Circadian Effects, Glucocorticoids and Imagery
From the Paper "Stress is something that all humans experience. It is, in fact, part of the human experience. Yet, the affect of stress on the individual as well as its effects to the person experiencing it has been variously conceived by many researchers since its recognition as valid topic of research. While it is clear that most individuals conceive stress in different ways as an emotional response to various circumstances, the medical and psychological community have identified stress, or rather the body's reaction to it, as a having a potentially negative impact on individual health, mental performance, as well as memory (Zautra 36-8). In the area of mental performance and memory, stress and stressful situations greatly impact individual ability to perform to one's ability."
Abstract This paper examines how human memory organization has been a topic of psychological and psychiatric study for many years, particularly in the area of the relation between brain injury and memory organization. It looks at how researchers have begun to study the data of patients who do not have brain disease or neurological issues and how these studies have assisted scientists in determining how memory is organized in undamaged subjects.
From the Paper "Studies have also shown that there are different pathways for different types of memory. Ungerleider and Mishkin found, in 1982, that a pathway in the brain from the occipital lobe to the parietal lobe was responsible for spatial perception. Another pathway, that of semantic information, is formed through a route from the occipital to temporal lobes. The result of these two pathways is that there is a different brain pattern between knowing where an object is, and knowing what an object is (Wilson, et al, 1997)."
Abstract This paper explains that autobiographical memory includes, not only memories for specific experiences, but also memories for the personal facts of one's life. The author points out that the brain uses two forms of memory storage: Semantic memory and episodic memory. The paper relates that autobiographical memories are some of the most important memories we have because they include our self-image, our knowledge of the world around us, and the recall of emotional and specific events, which help to influence our lives.
From the Paper "Episodic memory plays a role in autobiographical memory in a number of ways. First, parts of autobiographical memories involve "flashbulb memories", or the memory for a situation in which we had high emotion or surprise. For example, one may remember the day in which the World Trade center was attacked. The memory of this event includes information such as the place of the event, the event which was interrupted by the high emotion, where one received the news, the feelings associated with the news, and the emotions of those around them."
Abstract The human brain is mind boggling when one thinks of all the intimate parts and how they affect learning. The study of Neuroanatomy of the brain and learning styles helps individuals to try to understand their individual dominance in right/left hemisphere. The paper studies several sources of literature where experiments were carried out to test right/left dominance, and discusses their results. Methods used by psychologists such Nagae are also discussed.
From the Paper "In this study students were instructed to make a fist with their thumb pointing upward at an arms length away. Once they lined up with the target, they were asked to close their left eye and decide if it was still on target. Once they did this, they were asked to line up their thumbs on target and asked to close their right eye. Which eye was closest to target? They divided the students into right/left and mixed dominant sections. The students were then told how to do create a hypercard. The assignment was to create a sales presentation to an imaginary client. They were asked to indicate their right/left or mixed brain dominancy.
"The findings demonstrated the right-brain dominant individuals outperformed the left-brain and mixed-brain dominant students."
Abstract The paper relates that there are many studies into the long-term effects of heavy alcohol use and notes that it may lead to shrinkage of brain material. This in turn may lead to short-term memory deficits. The paper also relates that it is known that heavy alcohol use impairs the hippocampus which affects memory.
Outline:
Introduction
Brain Shrinkage and Short Term Memory Loss
Hippocampus Activity and Memory Loss
Conclusion
From the Paper "As discussed earlier in the essay, heavy consumption has been associated for some time that with reductions in the numbers of cholinergic neurons in the forebrain. The forebrain cholinergic neurons are distinguished into two groups, those of the basal ganglia and those of the basal forebrain. The cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain project to the cortical regions, and the most rostral of these project to the allocortical regions such as the hippocampus. Therefore reductions in numbers of these cholinergic neurons will lead to reductions in activity of these allocortical regions, including the hippocampus. It is also possible that alterations in modulatory transmitter inputs such as cholinergic innervations may also play a role in the reduction of hippocampus activity without the actual loss of cholinergic neurons themselves. However in tests which have been performed on rhesus monkey models it has been shown that hippocampal activity reduction which is related solely to these alterations in modulatory input and not reductions in numbers of cholinergic neurons are unrelated to observed changes in memory function of any kind (Calhoun 475). This does not mean however that the reduction in hippocampal activity related to actual loss of cholinergic neurons does not lead to degeneration of memory function."
Abstract The paper deals with small cell lung cancer and the problem with regard to radiation and memory loss. The paper states that this form of cancer is prone to brain metastases. The paper confirms that prophylactic cranial irradiation is a controversial method of radiation that has shown to have positive outcomes in small cell lung cancer patients. However, little is known about the effects of radiation on the brain and especially on long-term cognitive and memory loss. The paper, in referring to various studies, concludes that the research is compounded by the large number of variables that need to be taken into account in ascertaining the effects of the process of radiation.
Outline:
Introduction
Prolegomena: Overview and Background
The Brain, Memory and Radiation Treatment
Summation and Conclusion
From the Paper " Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer that affects both men and women in the United States and the world. As figure 1 above illustrates, the number of deaths from lung cancer in the United States far exceeds other common forms of cancer. There are numerous statistics that indicate the increased risks of lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Figure 2 below illustrates a projection of morality rates in various countries over a ten your period of time. This again clearly indicates the importance of research into lung cancer and particularly the more severe form of small cell lung cancer."
Abstract This paper intends to determine whether semantic representations of words with HI or LI are retained better in short term memory loss when presented visually. For many years imagery was regarded as questionable area of study for experimental cognitive psychology because individual's visual imagination is inherently private and cannot serve as unbiased observable behavioral data. The paper refers to recent research, which suggests that word imageability greatly influences recognition and recall. The memory task was conducted in a form of immediate serial recall of HI and LI item lists. General prediction and experimental hypothesis were supported by the data. Potential implications of the study and proposed further research are considered in detail.
From the Paper "In the theoretical framework of traditional short-term (working) memory, mechanisms of retrieval of information generated a lot of interest in the area of cognitive psychology. A variety of evidence that has accumulated in the past few years suggests that short-term memory processes may be influenced by a number of phonological, orthographical and semantic factors. Researchers designed standard procedures to study memory performance by presenting a list of unrelated items to require reproduction with either immediate free recall or serial recall after some interpolated activity."
Abstract This paper explains how the human memory works and includes detailed information about the complexity and the exact organs of the brain and how these organs affect memory. Included are the differences between long term and short term memory and tips on how to remember information more efficiently.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most important thing scientists have found is that there is no single memory system in the brain. Instead, human memory is divided into at least two broad categories. These can be affected by disease, injury or aging. The first on is explicit memory. Explicit memory is the system that stores concrete knowledge like faces, names, and multiplication facts. This is the knowledge that a person can call up consciously. Implicit memory is the way the brain stores information that isn?t assimilated or called up consciously.(Colliers Encyclopedia CD-ROM) Examples of this are shooting a basketball or stopping a car."
Abstract This paper begins by describing the classes of memory storage and the memorization process. The paper then explains how knowledge of how memory is stored and how the memorization process works can be used along with certain techniques to improve one's memory and attention.
From the Paper "Beyond the three classes of memory, there are also two parts to the memory process: concentration and recall. A person's attention is always divided. Truly undivided attention is an unattainable goal. However, the more focused a person can be on a lesson, the higher chance of absorbing and retaining the information there will be. Memory can be reinforced by association, such as adding new information to that which is already remembered, and also by making logical connections between bits of information. By making the connection between the acts of concentrating on information and recalling the information, memorization can be an easier task."
Abstract This study discusses the question of whether caffeine actually does stimulate the nervous system in such as way that it improves short-term memory. More specifically, the study supports the hypothesis that a group of male students who drank caffeinated coffee prior to taking a short-term memory test will perform better in terms of accuracy and speed than a group of male students that drank decaffeinated coffee before the test. The focus of the study is on a single research question: "Does caffeine improve the short term memory in male college students?" The paper concludes with an evaluation of the efficacy of the study, noting that, from the results obtained in the study, one cannot determine that caffeine improves short-term memory.
Outline:
Introduction
UnderstandingMemory Significance of Study Hypothesis and Research Questions
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
From the Paper "Memory refers to the way in which humans store information for retrieval at a later time. Memory is the key to learning. Memory begins with a stimulus that is received through the five senses. The brain receives the message and sorts the data according to similarities and differences to other information that it already has in storage. It categorizes the information and places it in a location so that the information can be retrieved at a later date.
"We have several types of memory, one is short-term memory and the other is long-term memory. Short-term memory might only last for a few minutes. A piece of information must enter short-term memory before it can enter long-term memory (Singleton, 2006). Working memory acts as the central processing hub for short-term memory. A stimulus might involve several types of information coming in. Working memory collects them and integrates them so that they can be forwarded to the proper locations in the brain. One example of working memory might be when a person smells smoke, feels heat, and hears a crackling noise. These pieces of information all come from different sensory organs. The working memory integrates them and sends them to the area of the brain where they will be interpreted (Singleton, 2006). These pieces of information might not mean danger when taken individually, but taken together; they will most likely be interpreted as danger."
Applies research into understanding changes in the chemistry and neurological pathways of the brain during motor and cognitive processes to the field of education.
Abstract This paper reviews literature that indicates that, particularly during the past five years, scientists have gained new insights into how the human brain works and what specific changes take place in the brain because of various motor and cognitive processes. The paper reports that these discoveries hold enormous promise for helping educators formulate improved methods of delivering educational services. The paper clarifies, however, that much research is needed still because the human brain is so enormously complex and every individual is unique. Despite these constraints, the writer believes that a fundamental paradigm shift in education will take place because truly individual educational approaches will be based on how different people learn at the molecular level.
Table of Contents:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "These cost-effective techniques in educational services delivery have assumed new importance and relevance in recent years as American schools continue to struggle to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Therefore, identifying how young people learn by mapping the corresponding regions of the brain may provide better ways of teaching the approximately 80 percent of students who are not linear learners."
Abstract The repressed memory controversy has spawned numerous debates in a variety of fields, from clinical psychology to legal studies, from the utility of repressed memory testimony in the courtroom to the nature of memory storage and recall. This paper reviews the research literature around the concept of repressed memories and proposes that, despite its emerging salience as a factor, one area not elaborately researched is the role of gender in repressed memories. The paper proposes an experiment designed to test whether gender may affect the creation of false memories in undergraduates and postulates an outcome based on the hypothesis that the social acceptability of a suggested memory increases how readily participants assimilate new memories (and this can be correlated with gender socialization). The experiment's goal is to work toward understanding the role of gender in the occurrence of repressed memories.
From the Paper "Given the predominance of repressed memory in females, the problem begs the question: does gender affect cognition? The full answer to that question is complex beyond the scope of this paper, but the general summary is that the evidence is inconclusive. From the popular view, it is generally believed that females are better at certain tasks such as facial recognition, color recollection, emotional recognition, and verbal memory; while males are better at tasks such as visuospatial reasoning, chronology, and number memory. At the same time, despite these persistent stereotypes, the evidence to support them is not conclusive (c.f. Caplan, 1997; Halpern 1986). We can say that there is some evidence indicating females may be more suggestible than males (McFarlane, 2002), which might account in part for of the difference in repressed memory, given that a predominance of clients are in therapy (under the influence of a therapist) at the time of the recovery (Freyd, 1999)."
