Interesting Information and Final Blog Entry!

Hello! This is my 5th and final blog post and in this post i will be wrapping up my main 4 causes for forgetting memories.
I have already covered 1 and 2, now its time to cover 3 and 4.
The 3rd main cause for forgetting memories is the "Failure to Store". This theory states that the memory did not make its way to long term memory in the first place. This is what they call an encoding failure. Encoding failures sometimes prevent information from entering long-term memory.
The 4th and final reason for forgetting memories is "Motivated Forgetting". This theory confuses most people because most wonder if a memory can even really be forgotten. It may be repressed or put into a "distant save file in your brain" but its still most likely there.
People usually use motivated forgetting to forget life changing events or disturbing encounters.
My questions!
1. What was your favorite part of the topic you chose?
-My favorite part was just discovering so much about the brain in general. I knew the brain was amazing but not this cool!
Just finding out about how much interesting stuff goes on the brain would have to be the best part.
It was also good to know that theres usually a good reason behind us humans forgetting memories!
2. What was your least favorite part of the topic you chose?
-Honestly nothing. This project was so insanely fun and intriguing. I loved it so much and wouldn't mind doing it again.
3.What did you like best about Genius Hour research?
-Finding the reason behind why i forget some of the best memories i have ever had.
4. What did you like least about Genius Hour research?
-Making sure that all the research was legit and not made up by an internet troll! I stayed away from other peoples personal blogs as much as i could. Finding out why i forgot about my great-grandpas lost memories and why exactly i forgot them. Now that i know, I have a bit better of an understanding on why they disappeared and served a bit of a justice.
5.What was the most important thing you learned about yourself, how you learn or research in general as a result of this work?
-Well as most people know i have a terrible memory. So learning about what causes all of this relieves me and helps me realize im dont have the worst memory in the world. I don't have the best but there are still others that struggle with bad memory like i do.
Thank you so much for coming with me along this journey!

Entry 4: The 2nd Reason For Forgetting Memories

This week I will be explaining the 2nd reason for forgetting memories. As we discussed the first reason has to do with the decay theory which states that memory traces begin to fade and "decay".

The interference theory is the 2nd main cause for the disappearance of memories. This theory suggests that some memories compete and interfere with other memories.

This happens frequently when there is information very similar to other information that was previously stored in your memories which causes them to interfere.

There are two main types of interference: Proactive and Retroactive

• Proactive Interference which is when an old memory makes it more difficult or impossible to remember a new memory.
• Retroactive Interference occurs when new information with your ability to remember previously learned information.

The interference theory states stored memory is active in the brain but unable to be retrieved due to the competition created by newly or previously learned information.

The interference theory is mainly active when changing phone numbers, addresses and even names.

Over the years, proactive interference may cause more forgetting because we have stored up so much information.

This here is a graph that shows fast your memory or remembrance and deplete in a matter of minutes. 

If you have any questions on memories and how and why we forget them, do not hesitate to ask!

Entry 3: Answering You Guys Questions

So many of you guys have been asking what effect emotions have on your memories and the ability to retrieve them. I looked that up and I found out that emotions play a MAJOR effect on our memories. Thanks to the amygdala,which is located in the temporal lobe of our brains, the emotions that we feel in a certain memory can be recalled very easily. Ther amygdala is the center of emotions, emotional behavior, motivation and survival instincts. I saw an example online that said: For example, if you have ever suffered a dog bite, then the amygdala may help in processing that event and, therefore enhancing your alertness around dogs.
This example proves that the amygdala in our brain helps to store memories of events and emotions so that we can recognize similar events in the future.
So strong memories with feelings of anger have more of an emotional impact because they cause physical symtoms. An example of this biological response when these play out would be a rise in your heart rate or shortness of breath. You are more likely to remember a moment like this because of the response in your body leaves a mark on the memory trace in your brain.
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!
-grisafi

Entry 2: The First Reason For Forgetting Memories

While researching the reasons for the forgetting of memories, I came across 4 main causes.
Today I will only reveal the first reason and will spread the rest over the next couple of entries.
The first reason and also main reason for forgetting memories is retrieval failure.
Within this retrieval failure there is a theory called the "decay theory".
This theory states that a memory trace is created every time a new theory is formed. The decay theory suggests that over time these memory traces begin to fade and will sooner or later disappear.
So basically if information is not rehearsed or retrieved it will eventually be lost.
In order to remember these memories and not cause retrieval failure would be to think or recall the memory quite often. Especially if it has a significant meaning to you and you would like to be able to remember it as you age or grow older.
This theory also suggests short term memory can only hold information for between 15 and 30 seconds unless it is rehearsed.  After this time the memory fades away.
So for review:
A memory must be rehearsed for recalled many times for it to not to be forgotten or "lost deep in ones brain".

Introduction to Genius Hour

Hi guys! Grisafi here and for my Genius Hour I decided to do "Why and How We Forget Memories".
I chose this specific subject because while growing up as a child I had many great memories with my great grandfather that I wanted to remember for the rest of my life. I had a great recollection of my memories with him when he was still alive but when he passed away it seemed as if those memories we shared began to become faint and I would remember less and less detail each time i tried to reminisce on those times together.  So I chose this topic because i want to know what caused these memories to faint away? Why did they not stay with me as long as I thought they would. I hope you enjoy my Genius Hour and we can get some answers together!
-Grisafi