Consolidation Theory Of Forgetting

In memory consolidation psychology, memory and memory consolidation rely on a healthy body and brain. Many areas may affect your mind's ability to retain information, including age, substance use, medications, diseases, and mental health. Learning about these areas can be beneficial when trying to improve your memory consolidation ability.

Consolidation

The memory consolidation process involves the storage of information in long-term memory. This occurs when memory traces are reinforced, stabilized, and saved so that we can later recall them. 

What is a memory trace?

Also called an engram, a memory trace is a change in the nervous system that is thought to encode a memory. These memory traces assist us in reconstructing memories. After the memory trace is created, consolidation strengthens it through changes in neural pathways. The exact alterations that occur to create a memory trace are unknown; but research suggests that they are formed in the cerebellum and hippocampus. 

How consolidation occurs

To understand the concept of memory consolidation, it may be helpful to think of memory as a muscle. Exercising your memory with repetition may help you retain memories over time and feel confident in recalling information. For example, perhaps you spent hours and hours in school studying and using the Pythagorean theorem. Doing so may have allowed you to exercise your brain to store the formula in your long-term memory. This process is called memory consolidation. 

On the opposite end, placing your keys on the kitchen table when you get home and forgetting about them can be an example of a lack of memory consolidation. In this case, placing the keys down is an automatic gesture, so you may forget that you've done it. However, if you always place your keys on the same hook, your memory consolidation may allow you to know where they are when you leave the next day.

What are memories?

Memory is defined as the process of receiving information, storing details, and recalling that information later, all within the mind. Memory involves many portions of the brain, but the hippocampus, found within the brain's temporal lobes, is primarily responsible for emotions and memory. 

This pattern of reactivation is a memory. Rather than memory being an organized system with separate compartments in the brain, it is an ever-changing system of neural patterns and pathways in which information travels across many brain regions.

In memory consolidation, recalling the same piece of information repeatedly trains the neurons to act together efficiently and rapidly. As this repetition continues, the neurons learn to fire together in the original pattern; thus, the information is more readily available in memory.

Theory of forgetting: Short term memory

For decades, experts in human memory have sought to explain the processes by which we experience memory failures. Theories of forgetting can help us understand how deficiencies in memory retrieval occur. While several other frameworks exist (e.g., repressed memories), the following are five of the most prominent theories of forgetting, separated by whether they impact short-term or long-term memory. 

Forgetting information in short term memory

Trace decay theory of forgetting 

An early theory of forgetting, the trace decay theory, posits that failing to retrieve a memory trace can cause it to deteriorate. According to the trace decay theory, all memories fade over time. When old memories decay, their retrieval becomes more difficult. 

Displacement theory of forgetting

The displacement theory of forgetting states that the storage of new memories in short-term memory causes older information to be removed. This displacement occurs because of limited space in short-term memory. 

Understanding long term memory: Consolidation theory of forgetting

Retrieval failure theories of forgetting for long term memory

According to the retrieval failure theory, forgetting occurs when information in long-term memory is unable to be recalled. Proponents of this theory state that our memories are associated with certain memory cues, or retrieval cues. A retrieval cue may be a related image, word, sound, or other stimulus. When these retrieval cues are unavailable, we are not able to retrieve the information, and we experience a form of memory failure known as cue-dependent forgetting.

Interference theory of forgetting

The interference theory of forgetting is based on the idea that memories can be lost due to the formation or existence of other memories. These recent and remote memories can impact memory performance through two processes—proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive interference occurs when existing memories affect our ability to create new memories. Retroactive interference occurs when the formation of new memories interferes with our retrieval of existing memories. 

Consolidation theory of forgetting

Focused on disturbances during the process of reinforcing memory traces, the consolidation theory of forgetting is associated with the physiological, instead of psychological, functioning of the memory system. According to the consolidation theory, interference with the consolidation process prevents memory traces from stabilizing, making retrieval more difficult. There are several ways consolidation can be disrupted, including medications, brain abnormalities, and lack of sleep. Consolidation theory has been backed by functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Causes of memory challenges

Before understanding memory consolidation, it may benefit you to understand the causes of memory challenges and memory loss that may cause difficulty with cognitive ability. 

Age-related memory loss

Mental illness and the effect on memories

Memory can be a vital part of personality and daily functioning. A few mental illnesses that impact cognitive ability may also lead to poor memory, including depression and anxiety. Those experiencing depression often report feeling as if their mind is foggy or clouded. When the brain is preoccupied with rumination and feelings of worry and anxiety, it can impair one's ability to form memories and learn new information. 

Substance use 

Substance use may also cause significant interferences with memory consolidation and recall. Alcohol is one substance known for its potential memory interference, as it can lead to partial memory loss or complete blackouts if consumed in significant amounts. 

How to improve memories and memory consolidation with these theories

According to memory consolidation psychology, the brain thrives on stimulation. Therefore, it is often said that learning new skills effectively cultivates brain health. For example, learning to play a musical instrument or speak a new language can exercise your brain and activate multiple areas.