Memory

Investigate your memory and how it works in the brain.

How good are you at remembering long series? Research shows that it is a matter of practice and training. To start with, only one light comes on, then a pattern is built up until you miss one. Your task is to try to recreate the patterns as far as you can and thus collect points for the Experimenta machine.

Your memory works thanks to nerve cells in your brain. The nerve cells are linked together with synapses and the more information your brain receives, the more links are formed among the brain cells but not all of them become permanent so we need to be reminded in order for our brain to make these links. It is not known exactly how memories are stored but we are continually finding out more through research.

There are four different types of memory:

Episodic memory

The episodic memory consists of memories from earlier events. Our episodic memory enables us to make associations with things we have experienced.

Procedural memory

The procedural memory is based on motor and intellectual skills that we have learned, such as cycling or swimming.

Semantic memory

The semantic memory handles language and abstract concepts. This is often called "factual memory" and it consists of knowledge we have learned through reading or tuition.

Perceptual memory

The perceptual memory enables us to recognise objects and environments around us.