Memory

Question 1

What is my visual image of Being AWESOME at PROCESS?

Answer 1

A concept I’m trying to learn is how to stay focused on process. An image that could help me encapsulate the concept of staying focused on process is to think of a monk-meditator-creative-bossbabe wearing the red jump suit looking absolutely gorgeous sitting down to a computer to get into THE PROCESS ZONE and that being the source of all her success and achievement.

Question 2

What is a human-wired specialty that is part of our long-term memory system?

Answer 2

We have outstanding visual and spatial memory systems that can help form part of our long term memory. Our minds are BUILT to remember this kind of general information about a PLACE.

Question 3

How can you greatly enhance your ability to remember by tapping into …. what?

Answer 3

By tapping into your in-brain super-sized visual-spatial memorization abilities.

Question 4

Where did this visual-spatial super memory come from?

Answer 4

Ancestors locked in a superior “where things are” and “how they look” memory system because of evolutionary survival needs.

Question 5

How can you benefit from this superior visual spatial memory system?

Answer 5

By making a memorial visual image of something that you want to remember.

Question 6

Why is using this visual spatial trick helpful?

Answer 6

Because the more neural hooks you can build by evoking the senses, the easier it will be for you to recall the concept and what it means.

Question 7

How to make the visual spatial ideas more effective?

Answer 7

Make it include as many senses as possible, feel, smell, see, hear, taste, etc.

Question 8

What brings something into your temporary working memory?

Answer 8

Focusing on something.

Question 9

If focusing on something brings it into your temporary working memory, what moves it into long term memory?

Answer 9

1. The idea should be memorable.

2. And it must be repeated (otherwise metabolic memory vampires will break it down and take it away).

Question 10

If you don’t repeatedly recall what you are trying to remember, what happens?

Answer 10

Metabolic vampires break down the neural connection and the memory is broken down and removed instead of strengthened and solidified.

Question 11

The best way to repeatedly recall is to:

Answer 11

Repeatedly recall sporadically over days.

Question 12

Aside from note cards and repeated visual-spatial recall, what can enhance your note-card retention?

Answer 12

HANDWRITING and SAYING what you are committing to memory helps create extra neural hooks (including auditory).

Question 13

What helps you to more deeply encode what you are trying to learn?

Answer 13

Handwriting and imaging vividly what you are writing.

Question 14

What is encoding?

Answer 14

converting what you are trying to learn into Neural Memory Structures.

Question 15

Why is it helpful to mix up your notecards while learning?

Answer 15

This helps to interleave the material you are trying to learn. (interleaving is jumping back and forth between concepts to practice & mix problems of types with various approaches and concepts)

Question 16

When is a good time to review your note cards one more time?

Answer 16

Right before you go to sleep, because sleep is when your brain works on patterns and pieces together solutions.

Question 17

What does the hippocampus do?

Answer 17

It’s an important part of the brain system for learning and memory of facts and events. It helps memory consolidation in the cortex.

Question 18

What is reconsolidation?

Answer 18

It is that: whenever you recall a memory, it changes. It is even possible to install false memories (especially in children with vivid imaginations).

Question 19

Are memories fixed?

Answer 19

No, memories are living parts of your brain that are changing all the time. Whenever you recall a memory, it changes in a process called reconsolidation.

Question 20

What is the process of consolidation?

Answer 20

This is the process when the brain is in a state of active memory and then stores it to longterm memory by modifying synapses on the dendrites of neurons.

Question 21

How does a memory come out of storage into active memory?

Answer 21

It is brought into an active state/working memory in present context, which can be altered (reconsolidated) and put back into consolidated long-term memory again.

Question 22

The hippocampus is important for:

Answer 22

Learning, facts, events, memory (storying new memories in the cortex, aka memory consolidation).

Question 23

Without a hippocampus, you can still learn new:

Answer 23

Motor skills! Motor skill memory is a separate memorization pathway from things consolidated via the hippocampus.

Question 24

What is reconsolidation:

Answer 24

Whenever you recall a memory, it changes, because it comes back into working memory where it is opened up to context, before it is put back into long-term memory.

Question 25

Which one occurs during sleep: Consolidation or reconsolidation?

Answer 25

Both!

Question 26

What are glial cells?

Answer 26

Brain supporting cells.

Question 27

What are astrocytes?

Answer 27

• The most abundant glial cell in the human brain.

- Provide nutrients to neurons, maintain extra-cellular ion balance, and are involved with repair following injury.

Question 28

What is the only difference about Einstein’s brain?

Answer 28

His brain had many more astrocytes.

Question 29

What is the memory palace technique?

Answer 29

Using the layout of a physical place you know well to “place” unrelated items you want to remember around in the space.

Question 30

Why is the memory palace technique so successful?

Answer 30

Because memorization becomes an exercise in creativity, while taking advantage of the brain’s evolutionary advantage in spatial memorization. (side-note: motor skills are separate memorization pathway from hippocampal memorization).

Question 31

What two types of memory do we have?

Answer 31

1. Long-term memory (is the warehouse of stored memories, practicing retrieval over periods of days is key to creating masterful long-term memory).
2. Working Memory: Has limited space and fades fast.

Question 32

What is the benefit of mastering a concept?

Answer 32

When you do this, it takes less space in your Working Memory to bring it to mind, so you have more room to add other things.

Question 33

What mega-memorization ability does our brain naturally have?

Answer 33

Visual and spatial memorization capabilities. Tapping into these dramatically boosts memorization ability. (ie: using the Memory Palace).