This is Only Short-Term NOT Forever.

Short-Term Memory is the second stage of memory. This memory is temporary, and form here the brain will determine whether or not it should be sent to Long-term memory, which can hold information longer. Usually Short-Term memory has a capacity of 5 to 9 items with duration of 30 seconds. This makes it easy for people to forget small details, and over a longer period of time more and more details will be lost. One way the brain tries to keep larger amount of data when using short-term memory is by using a theory called Chunking. Chunking is when you essentially chuck information like numbers in a group, which makes it easier to contain data, then trying to remember them individually. You could also use maintenance rehearsal by repeating the information to keep it active in your memory. For example repeating a phone number over and over in your head until you have to dial it.



Personally I have a horrible time with short term memory. I recently had testing done to determine if I had a learning disability, and the tests concluded that I indeed had a learning disability, but that I also had week short term memory. They made me to a test where they would show me a picture for a limited about of time, and then took away this picture and showed me a second one. I had to point out all the differences, or what was missing from the photo. My ratings were below average in this department which is not good. Having a horrible short time memory effects many aspects of my life, and getting easily distracted doesn’t help. In order to make sure information isn’t lost I take notes, and write down important dates. I also make sure that I have as little in front of me as possible (laptop, ipod, ect) so I don’t get easily distracted, and I can spent time focusing on what is being taught to me.

I also find depending on what material being presented to me makes a huge difference. If its incredibly boring its harder for me to retain the information, or even remember it. But if I find it exiting and love listening to what’s being taught I remember it a lot better.

The Story of Long-Term Memeory.

Long-Term Memory is the third stage of memory. Long-term memory can hold an unlimited amount of information, and can hold information permanently. There are different types of long-term memory, and depending on the type of memory we have its organized into this subdivision. Typically we have Explicit Memory, and Implicit Memory. Explicit memory holds memories that have conscious recall, so it would hold things like facts, what high school you went to, or a friend’s favorite color. Implicit Memory stores memory without conscious recall, this memory would store things like motor skills, and condition responses.



My Long-Term memory is a lot better than my short term memory. Personally I think the reason behind this is because I take many measures to move anything in my sort-term to my long term. For example I write notes, read my text books, and rewrite definitions in my own words, or try to relate them back to my own life. I’m also very good at remembering certain child hood memories, and a lot of the time I’m the only one who remembers them because they typically seem so insignificant to other people. The best example I can come up with, is I can remember certain events that happened and my aunts farm, whereas my cousin Kara (who is older than me) has completely forgotten our aunt use to have a farm.

The SUPER-EGO!!!

Super Ego is a theory by Sigmund Freud, Sigmund Freud believed that all people acted based on the unconscious. He called these unconscious the Id, Ego, and Super Ego. Each of the Id, Ego, and Super Ego played their own special rolls in the unconscious mind, and depending on how a person acted would determine which part of their unconscious was more in control. The super ego is responsible for our ethical rules, it is developed by parental and society standards. Essentially the Super-Ego is the little angel who sits on our shoulder, and tells us to do the right thing.

Silly Super-Ego

I think sometimes it’s very hard to imagine us taking the higher road or doing what’s right. Recently I was kicked out of my apartment by an ex-roommate and friend. She not only gave me 24 hours to leave but tried to assault me. It ended up being a horrible experience, which of course left emotional damage, but finical damage. This ex-roommate owes me a thousand dollars I will never see again, because she believes that she is the right, and that her actions were justified.

So many thoughts have gone through my head the past few months, and honestly I wish I was brave enough just to follow that ‘Id’ instinct I have, because I know for a fact that some of the things I’ve come up with that if I did them they would make me feel a million times better.



For example: I have in my possession some of her things. I know these possessions mean a lot to her. Nothing more would make me happier than to throw the stuff in a fire pit and burn them. The only reason I haven’t is because I know it’s wrong. The actually idea of giving her, her things back makes me a little sick. Why would I give back someone their things, and be as kind to her as I have been after all she has done to me? Freud would say that this is because of my Super Ego, because I have chosen to do the ‘right thing’ even if the right thing would make me feel horrible.

What is Conditioning?

Conditioning: Is learning an association between an stimulus and a behavior. Some behaviors aren’t learned, but we are born with them (seeing food and salivating). Whereas other responses to stimuli are learned, For example flinching when someone throws something at you. The response of flinching is conditioned, because one has learned that when a stimulus (something being thrown at you) hurts, you unconsciously flinch when something is thrown at you. You have learned the response to flinch.

Kara's Conditioning

My cousin Kara (who will be mentioned a few times) has conditioned me to have a certain response to sea weed. When we were younger, my grandparents owned a cottage and because we are so close in age we would always go together. We spent massive amounts of time together, and spending massive amounts of time with Kara is a bad Idea. As you will see later in the blog. One summer while swimming in the lake, Kara told me this horrible story about sea weed. The story now is completely ridiculous, but at the time it was completely logical.



The story basically as I recall, was about a young boy who was playing in a boat when he fell into the water. Upon falling into the water, the seaweed came alive and grabbed his ankles and pulled him under the water where it proceeded to drown him.

I was convinced of a few things at that point, number one sea weed was an evil plant waiting to wake up and drag me under, and two I’d never touch sea weed again.

Kara has conditioned me to be completely terrified of sea weed. I will not go anywhere near the stuff, and if I’m in a boat and we pass a huge batch growing under the water I get queasy, and even more terrified than a single piece floating around. I will also never touch the bottom of any body of water if I can’t see the bottom, ill swim as curled up as possible just to make sure nothing can touch me.

What is Extinction?

Extinction happens when someone is conditioned to a response, then over time their response to a stimulus no longer results. For example, if you have a fear of driving a car, after driving a car a couple of times with a positive results you can diminish that fear. Extinction is not always permanent, because you simply don’t unlearn this response, this means it’s possible for the behavior to reappear.