Memory & Retrieval
Memory and recall are critical to learning. Of equal importance is its role in furthering the development of the individual. At Crossroads Institute one of the key themes in all our programs is the ability to use the full capacity of our memory.
Memory is used by our brain for various tasks. The most important task is cognition (our conscious thoughts). The next most important tasks are our abilities to learn, store and use information.
We often see many of our clients mislabeled with issues like ADD to Learning Disabilities due to poor working memory or short-term memory challenges.
At age 40 one begins to see certain functions within the brain begin to slow. It is a natural process. Crossroads Institute can screen for short term memory loss and dementia.
Conducting a complete NeuroGeniSys Procedure will show whether memory loss is actually a physiological problem or if these issues might be medication driven or health related.
CrossRoads Programs for Adults with Memory & Retrieval Issues:
CrossRoads Programs for Children with Memory & Retrieval Issues:
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Memory and Recall
Memory and recall are critical to learning. Of equal importance is its role in furthering the development of the individual. At Crossroads Institute one of the key themes in all our programs is the ability to use the full capacity of our memory.
Memory is used by our brain for various tasks. The most important task is cognition (our conscious thoughts). The next most important tasks are our abilities to learn, store and use information.
Types of Memory
Memory is divided into three major elements: Short term, intermediate and long term memory. Short term and intermediate memory are further divided or measured as auditory and visual memory.
Short-term memory refers to the amount or bits of information we can hold in our head at any given time and lasts between 1 second and 24 hours depending upon how much importance you put on the information. You would use this type of memory for phone numbers and zip codes. The portion of memory tends to be where your conscious thoughts are. When increasing digit span capacity we are actually working short term memory.
Intermediate memory occurs once the information has been processed. It can be viewed as the part of memory which holds and mixes information from the different parts of memory. This will determine how we feel and what we will do about a given situation. It defines our ability to express actions. When we do reverse digit spans we are working intermediate memory.
Long-term memory is divided into three parts: Episodic, Semantic and Procedural memory. It resides in the deep unconscious and can be viewed as the "repository" of all our knowledge.
- Episodic memory is experience based. This would include memories of events and experiences. It is enhanced by sensory input such as sights, sounds, music, smells and touch. Many times episodic memories are triggered by emotion.
- Semantic memory would include remembering specific information such as text books information, math, names, facts and figures.
- Procedural Memory is hands on learning. When we learn a skill such as riding a bike or playing a sport motor memory is necessary. These skills can only be learned by physically doing them. It is automatic memory.
Memory Deficits
Underdevelopment of memory results in speech delays, learning disabilities, distractibility, poor reading comprehension, memory loss, and loss of mental acuity.
Our cognitive thoughts are formed based upon information held and retrieved from past experiences. Our feelings and understanding of these memories are functions of our short-term memory. Thoughts are represented by our ability to create a conceptual and visual frame of reference. Conceptualization is our ability to understand abstract ideas, principles and values. It tends to develop as our understanding of language develops.
One's ability to understand is directly proportional to the development of the auditory side of short-term memory.
Visualization develops with our eyesight and is how we begin to perceive reality. The ability to both visualize and conceptualize tends to define how we approach life, how we learn, how we stay on task, how we integrate information and most importantly how we communicate with others.
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