When you are introduced to someone, this event is stored in immediate memory only long enough for the event to happen. Immediate memories are held in various modality-specific regions of the brain - immediate visual memory is most likely held in the visual parts of the brain, and immediate auditory memory in the auditory parts of the brain.
Now if you were paying attention to the introduction the relationships between what you see, what you hear and your awareness is brought together into working memory which resides in the prefrontal lobe of the brain. When the event goes from your immediate memory into your working memory some of the details are lost. For example, you might not remember what was going on in the background or what color shoes the person was wearing. This distracting information is dumped on purpose and is critical for efficient storage.
If you paid attention during the introduction, the relationship between sight, sound, and awareness is brought together into working memory, somewhere in the prefrontal lobe of the brain. When the event moves from immediate memory to working memory, certain features will be lost. You probably won't remember background conversations from the party, and you may not remember the color of the Mr. Byrd's shoes. The loss of distracting information is an important feature of human memory, and is critical for efficient storage and recollection of experiences.
At this point, you can use reinforcement to try to help yourself remember the persons name. Rehearsing the event by saying the name yourself or by relating the name to something else (like the same name as your sister or your aunt etc) cause the memory to move from working memory into your long-term memory. This is called consolidation and during this process more distracting information is lost.
Now several days later you might not remember the color of the persons shirt but you should remember his name, what he looks like and who introduced you. If you were distracted during the introduction you might not remember the name. It is important to repeat the persons name and try to make some sort of association or mnemonic so that this information makes it through the consolidation process.
You can use a similar method of relationships and reinforcement to remember what you wanted to pick up at the grocery store. Lets say you need to get toothpaste, deodorant and bananas. Instead of just trying to memorize these 3 items, picture yourself getting ready for work. You brush your teeth, put on deodorant and eat a banana on the way out. Play this back in your head like a little mini film. Then when you are in the grocery store, replay the film!
To Improve Your Memory
The brain is something that you must exercise for it to continue serving you. After all, if you exercise regularly to keep your body fit, will not the same regular exercising of the brain be required to keep your brain functioning?
You have to train your brain to remember what you want and when you want to. Compare it to a knife not used for a long time. It will not be as sharp as it should be. Sharpen it and use it regularly and it stays sharp. After some time, you will need to sharpen it again. Do likewise for your memory. You need to use it and also sharpen it from time to time.
When you need to remember something, peg it to something else to remember. This could be as simple as checking out what is the lot number that your car is parked in or what is present near the location where your car is parked. Things do not typically get remembered by themselves. You do need to create references.
An age old method that has been used to remember a number of points is by creating an abbreviation of all the starting alphabets of the points. Make a word of these alphabets and people have been able to remember the various points.
It is also important to boost your concentration if you really want to improve your memory. Just remember that it does not happen overnight. Take your time!One way is to link an unrelated list of words and create a story using them. Or memorize the lyrics of a song and sing it. Pick a paragraph from a book and memorize it.
When you force yourself to remember these things, your brain tends to make many neural connections that allow you to boost your concentration. This will, in turn, help to improve your memory.
The other technique that you can use is to learn something new. This makes your mind more alert and focused on what you are doing, and is a very effective way to exercise your brain and improve your ability to recall information.
The internet has made this so easy as there are all kinds of information available for immediate access. You can easily do a dictionary search of some word connected with what you are doing and you will be surprised at how a slight variation in spelling can make the word totally different. Try using these words in daily conversation or writing.
The internet, of course, has tons of information. Pick a topic that someone talked about and you do not know much about. Do an internet search and learn something about the topic. Aside from helping improve your memory, you will soon find yourself knowledgeable in many different topics, which will come in useful.
Of course, internet is not the only place. When you read the newspapers or magazines, besides reading your favorite sections, read also another section that you normally ignore.
When you do this regularly, you will find that the new information seems to attract your interest in new aspects. This then inspires your brain to make effective connections with information that you already have to help boost your memory powers.
Applying these techniques to improve your memory has to be done regularly to make it effective. The good news is that while doing this, you will also find your knowledge increasing and you can actually begin to enjoy the benefits.
Both Lee Dobbins & Pius Victor Ephenus are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lee Dobbins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Diamonds and Install Flooring. Lee Dobbins writes for where you can learn more about self help and self improvement.Visit www.better-self.com for more on. Lee Dobbins's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Pius Victor Ephenus has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Finances and Legal Matters. Victor is the webmaster of improvememoryloss.com. Specialize in providing top quality informations about, . Pius Victor Ephenus's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Cold Sores Inside The Mouth You have created a VORTEX relationship when your clients think to come to you first even if it is less convenient, feel guilty about dividing allegiance and readily refer you to others.