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Memory¹

Studying and Encoding Memories

Storing and Retrieving Memories

Forgetting, Memory Construction, and Improving Memory

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BE thankful for memory. We take it for granted, except when it malfunctions. But it is our memory that accounts for time and defines our life. It is our memory that enables us to recognize family, speak our language, find our way home, and locate food and water. It is our memory that enables us to enjoy an experience and then mentally replay and enjoy it again. It is our memory that enables us to build histories with those we love, and it is our memory that occasionally pits us against those whose offenses we cannot forget.

In large part, we are what we remember. Without memory—our storehouse of accumulated learning—there would be no savoring of past joys, no guilt or anger over painful recollections. We would instead live in an enduring present, each moment fresh. Each person would be a stranger, every language foreign, every task—dressing, cooking, biking—a new challenge. You would even be a stranger to yourself, lacking that continuous sense of self that extends from your distant past to your momentary present.

Researchers study memory from many perspectives. Module 22 introduces the measuring, modeling, and encoding of memories. Module 23 examines how memories are stored and retrieved. Module 24 explores what happens when our memories fail us, and offers tips for improving memory.