Chapter 3 - Procrastination and memory Flashcards
Visual and spatial memory system: why we have it, how can we use it?
Our ancestors were forced to memorize where they are/were for being able to return from 3day deer hunt.
Make a very unusual memorable visual image to the concept/… you want to learn.
Why is imagining/an image so important?
Visual areas of the brain have enhanced memory abilities. If you try to learn something that doesn’t make any sense, it’s easier if you use the best part of brain what you have for memorizing.
How to move a chunk from working memory to long-term memory?
By understanding it, visualizing it and repeating it.
How often is repetition needed?
Sporadically over several days.
Does handwriting new information has some benefits on learning?
Yes, it enhances faster and deeper encoding of what you’ve learned into neural structures.
When is the best time for last practice per day?
Before going to sleep, as during sleep the brain reorganizes and does a fragmentation of neuron structures, it builds up the necessary bridges and removes unneeded information. It also repeats patterns and pieces together solutions.
What is the meaning of hippocampus and what role does it have in long-term memory?
Hippos: horse, campus: sea monster.
Hippocampus enables storing memories/facts/events in the cortex. This process, aka memory consolidation can take years. If the hippocampus gets damaged, the person can not remember the events/facts from the past years before the fallout and cannot make new memories.
Are memories static?
No, they are living, always changing. With every recall a reconsolidation takes place. Also fake memories can be created, simply by imagining and suggestion. This is esecially easy to do with children having a vivid imagination.
What is a glial cell? What is an astrocyte?
Glial cells are supporting cells in the brain. Several types exist, one of them are astrocytes. Astrocytes provide nutrients for the neurons, maintain extracellular ion balance and are involved with repair following injury. They also have an important role in learning: mice provided with human astrocytes learn faster.
Why/how using mnemonics?
Is a good and funny memorization technique for groups of concepts, e.g. Bones of the head: old ppl from texas eat spiders.
What is the memory palace technique, when and how to use it?
Useful for remembering unrelated items; involves calling into mind a familiar place like your home. For using it, place each unrelated item into the parts of the house creating strong images. To recall them just go over the house and “collect” the memories.
Name some of the memory tricks and when to use them
Make use of spatial/visual memory
Associate numbers with years or systems you’re familiar with
Memory palace
Mnemonics/memorable sentences
Childish Creativity - makes also learning items more personal to you
Only memorize material you’ve understood
Why not using willpower against procrastination?
Willpower takes alot of neural resourcees.
Why is procrastination a bad habit?
Shares features with addiction, offers temporary excitement and relief from boring reality.
Makes you come up with stories/ irrational xcuses why you don’t /can’t learn today/that material.
Procrastinating is like taking arsenic for longer period of time, every day a little bit.
Habits and zombi mode - how do these relate?
Zombi mode or habit: you don’t need to think when doing it(only maybe a few key factors, but no 100% attention) It’s a mental energy saver.
Habits have 4 parts:
- Cue or trigger
- The routine that we start when we are having the cue.
- The reward - immediate little feeling of pleasure. (This is why procrastination is such an easy to maintain habit)
- The belief - this is the heartbeat of a habit. Change the belief and your habit will change.
