- We have three types of memories:
- Sensory Memory
- Short term Memory
- Long term Memory.
CONSOLIDATION
- Long term memory stores in our brain from days to years and this process is referred to as consolidation.
- In simple language, Consolidation means gathering something and in terms of psychology Consolidation means gathering the data or the information.
- With the help of rehearsal, our Short term memory becomes stronger and converted into our Long term memory.
- If the short term memory is not consolidated on time then the new information can fade this short term memory quickly.
“Memory takes time to fixate or undergo Consolidating” – this term is given by Muller and his student Alfons Pilzecker. They also termed if the previous information didn’t get the time to consolidate in memory then any new information disrupt that old information easily.
For example:- When you are learning a new chapter in a class, you need time to revise that chapter otherwise if you start the next chapter before revising the previous one you will get confused or you are going to forget the previous chapter easily.
WHAT IS MEMORY CONSOLIDATION?
When we are learning any information and trying to store that information in our brain, there are some changes that occur in our nervous system due to the process. These chemical changes are happening in the Hippocampus (a part of the brain). These changes are termed as Memory Trace.
- As we already know there are three types of Memory–
- Any information which is present in our environment is directly come to our notice through our senses and is gather in our Sensory Memory.
- When we try to learn the Sensory Memory then it converts into short term memory & with the revision or rehearsal, this Short term Memory is converted to our Long term Memory.
- Long term Memory remains in our mind from months to years.
For Example–
- When we heard about any news regarding our exams, our senses focusing on that news because this news is important as per our senses.
- Then we listen to that news carefully and try to memorize that news which is converted to our Short term Memory. When we are going to share this news with our friends we are revising this news so many times by dictating others, which helps in converting that information into our long- term memory.
- It all happens because we are repeating that news multiple times.
Hippocampus region is critical for the Consolidation of Information in long term Memory. After the Consolidation of information Hippocampus is not required for storage and retrieval. Memories are stored in Neocortex.
In H.M’s case study Hippocampus was removed from his brain therefore he was not able to consolidate the information and was not able to retain the information for more than 10 to 15 minutes. Because of this reason he was not able to make his long term memories.
So conclusion is Hippocampus is necessary for the Consolidation of Information.