Long-term memory is not located in just one specific area of the human brain. The hippocampus, located in the temporal lobe, is the place where the memory is stored in order to be recalled later. The span of the long-term memory in the human brain can vary from several minutes to a lifetime.
Furthermore, long-term memory is divided into several different types, including declarative memory, also known as explicit memory.
Furthermore, the long-term memory, which can last a lifetime, is divided into several different types, including the declarative memory, also known as explicit memory.
What Is Declarative Memory and How Is It Formed?
Declarative (explicit) memory is a part of long-term memory. It consists of facts and events that can be consciously recalled or “declared.” Our brain creates our memory by processing the neural information, and integrating those facts, data, and events, so that they can be later retrieved.
The establishment of declarative (explicit) memory implies complex processes of structural changes of the neurons (nerve cells) in the human brain. Namely, the networks of neurons in the brain are created, changed, or strengthened, in order for a memory to be stored in our brain.
The communicative strength of the neuronal networks is strengthened by the creation of additional protein in the cell bodies, which aids the speedy transfer of sensory information to the specific parts of the brain.
Thus, the nerve impulses pass the signals which carry the information to the visual cortex, auditory cortex, associative regions of the brain, etc.
In Which Part of the Brain Is Declarative Memory Stored?
The hippocampus area of the brain, along with the entorhinal cortex and perirhinal cortex, are the places where the information and signals of declarative memory are recognized and processed in the brain.
However, they are stored and merged in the temporal cortex, as well as in other areas of the brain.
What Is the Function of the Hippocampus in the Brain?
The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system which plays a great role in turning the short term memory into a long term memory, by integrating and transferring the information.
This small, sea-horse shaped part of the brain, located deep in the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex, is also associated with learning and emotions.
In short, this part of the brain processes, records, brings together, and stores our declarative (explicit) memories.
First, the hippocampus transfers the information to regions of the cerebral cortex that give meaning to the declarative memories. Then, it connects them with our other memories which are related to them.
What Are the Forms of Declarative Memory?
There are two basic forms of declarative memory:
- episodic
- semantic
Episodic memory, as a form of declarative (explicit) memory, is a subdivision of the long-term memory. It relates to the recollection of specific events, experiences, and situations, such as:
- Remembering our first day at school
- The memory of our best friend’s wedding
- The recollection of our first kiss
- The memory of our first day at school and how we felt
Since episodic memory is a person’s unique memory dealing with our remembrance of personal facts, it inevitably differs from other people’s recollection of the memorized experience of the same event or situation.
By conducting the process of episodic learning, our brain either stores our experiences in the episodic memory, or retrieves the memorized information later in order to form another approach to a situation or improve our behavior.
On the other hand, semantic memory consists of general facts and knowledge stored in our brain, so that we can use that information and facts at a later point in time and life.
Semantic memory is formed in the hippocampus of the brain, as well as in the medial temporal lobes. It’s a process of filtering knowledge and meaning from a given general concept or an idea.
After the memories are encoded in these brain structures, they are further stored in the long-term memory of the cerebral cortex.
This type of memory is stored as a long-term memory also, which allows us to retrieve the information that we have learned at a very young age.
This can mean:
- Remembering what a ball is
- Remembering how to use a computer
- Knowing the fact that there are seven continents on the planet Earth, and their names as well
- Recognizing the names of colors
- Understanding different languages (by understanding how to form a sentence by using the right words in the right places)
What Makes a Good Distinction Between Episodic Memory and Semantic Memory?
The following example makes a clear distinction between episodic and semantic memory. Namely, while we know the fact that basketball is a sport (a semantic memory of a general fact), the recollection of a basketball event that we have attended at some point in our lives prior to the retrieving of that information is an example of an episodic memory of a personal experience.
To Sum Up
Human memory is ‘imprinted’ in various parts of the brain, not just in a single one. Some types of memories can last longer than others. Memories are the facility of the brain which enables us to remember and retrieve everything we’ve learned and experienced.
The conscious or explicit memories are called declarative memory, due to the fact that we can consciously recall and describe the information processed and stored in our brain.
Hence, declarative memory consists of the memories we consciously experience.
There are two types of declarative memory: episodic and semantic. The semantic memory includes things that we have learned as common knowledge, such as names of colors, sounds of letters, capitals of countries, as well as other basic facts acquired over a lifetime.
Episodic memories help us remember personal experiences.
Fun Facts
Did You Know?
- Young children learn new languages more easily (without books or specialized schools) with the help of the declarative (explicit) memory.
- On the other hand, with the help of declarative (explicit) memory, adult individuals learn the grammar of the new languages successfully.
- With the help of semantic memory, we learn the meaning of letters and symbols. Stored in the long-term declarative memory of our brain, they enable us to refer to them throughout life, without the need to re-learn them.
- In case of damage to the hippocampus, we might lose our memory, which could lead to the need of learning how to read, write, or speak anew.
- Amnesia usually occurs as a result of some kind of trauma to the brain, such as a head injury, a stroke, a brain tumor, or chronic alcoholism. It is a medical condition that makes individuals unable to recall their memories.
- Retrograde amnesia occurs where we forget things we knew before the trauma occurred.
- A region in the brain, called the hippocampus, is crucial for forming, retaining, and recalling our declarative memories.
- The temporal lobes play a crucial role in forming and recalling memories in our brain.
- The human brain can store an enormous quantity of information.
- If we forget what we wanted to say or do, walking back to the place where we first got the idea could help us retrieve that memory.