About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the contrasting nature and nurture derived views on the structure and function of memory, focusing in particular on: (i) the fact that most of the long term memory storage processing occurs in the temporal lobes; (ii) the important role of the hippocampus in constructing neural connections which become new long term memories; (iii) some key brain regions associated with both long and short term memory processing; (iv) forgetting via encoding, where a memory is not properly formed; (v) forgetting via retrieval, where a memory cannot be re-accessed after being formed; (vi) forgetting via interference, either retroactive or proactive, where a memory is disrupted by the existence of another that either comes before or after it; (vii) forgetting at a cellular level, where unused neural connections are removed to free up biological resources; (viii) disputing the commonly used analogy that the brain stores memories like a filing cabinet; (ix) the more resource efficient method of storing memories as a contained unit which can be linked to other memories, to avoid duplicating regular experiences as individual memories; (x) the brain’s ‘use it or lose it’ approach to forgetting, based in neuroplasticity; (xi) Maguire and colleagues’ 2000 study, which found that experienced London taxi drivers had enlarged hippocampi, indicating that the hippocampus has a role in navigation and that neuroplasticity can lead to the enlargement of well used brain regions; (xii) schemas, which are mental frameworks used to categorise information based on previous knowledge and experience; (xiii) violation of schema acting as a signpost for events to remember; (xiv) one function of schemas being to improve processing speed of information; (xv) the ability to develop the cognitive reserve, allocating more resources to information processing; (xvi) Steyvers and Hemmer’s chapter, which highlighted the importance of context on memory, limiting the applicability of laboratory memory tests.

About the lecturer

Dr Dean Burnett is a neuroscientist, author and honorary research associate in the Centre for Medical Education at Cardiff University. Dr Burnett’s research interests are in neuroscience, science communication and psychology. Some of Dr Burnett’s recent books include Psycho-Logical (2019) and Why Your Parents Are Driving You Up The Wall And What To Do About It (2019).