Michaels’ wife has been complaining of the forgetfulness of the husband a doctor who is 52 years of age. The doctor was concerned about the forgetfulness when the wife called and asked for food items from the grocery. The doctor repeated the shopping list to the wife but on coming home, the doctor forgot the items and even passed by the grocery. The second issue was when Michael attendance to a conference to earn credits for his job the doctor noticed that the concentration to the lecture was low and on reading the notes, they did not make sense and this confirmed that he was not paying attention. When the doctor was studying the notes, the doctor could remember just a few information and main ideas with no details. The doctor has been nervous from the changes in the hospital and is panicking that the job can be lost with the wife threatening with divorce because of marital issues.
The individuals’ memory is a special area of the brain where information is stored and retrieved. A memory system defined in terms of its brain mechanism, the information it processes, and the principles of its operation (Driscoll, 2001). Human information processing is the method of how individuals obtain, store, assimilate, recover and using the information in action. The information processed comes from a person environment through the senses. The sensory memory systems are associated with each sense the iconic and echoic memory. The information entering can be programmed automatically, other information as denotation, images, and arranging that require exertion. Mnemonic devices that use images and arrange information into portions help the memory.
The grouping into hierarchies helps the memory. The part that requires visual memory enables visual images and the sound memory. When a disproportionate amount of energies is allocated across logical systems and higher order cognitive, language and related functions (Valente et al., 2008). The memory can process seven items that are presented at one go and the storage is unlimited. The information first appears in the short term or working memory, and the information here is available for further processing and a person in the stage is aware and can work with. The short term has a capacity of seven information items; the duration is about eighteen to twenty seconds and dispensing the information programmed verbally or visually, and this enables reviewing of the information. The information that enters the short-term memory if not processed immediately disappears and the information if tackled immediately is permanently stored in the brain through changes in the neural connectivity. The limitation on the number of items held in the short-term memory becomes obstacle in the human information processing system.
The long-term memory is comparatively permanent, stores, and holds information even when it is not required. The information in long-term memory is varying brain wiring. The capacity is unlimited; the duration is forever, and processing is according to their importance.
The issue of forgetting can be due to a number of reasons, age, health and disability. The age memory changes include the slow retrieval of information from storage causing slow thinking, and this requires one to be patient when recalling. The concentration spans of the adults who are old are very low and disrupted easily and to strengthen there is a need to concentrate and avoid disturbance. There is a need to be a good listener to help remember for the older adults. The decreased use of memory recall strategies and this requires one to use images and thinking of the item and running it over the mind will help to recall easily. The need to have triggers to help the elderly remember easily by using visualisation cues often. The training of the brain to improve its cognitive performance and working memory is important to strengthen the memory. The uses of online systems such as posit science, luminosity. Brain stimulation will help in strengthening the memory, and a professional does this. The use of medication subscribed a trained medical personnel with bias in psychology will assist in strengthening of memory. The need to centre concentration on the issue helps in the issue of concentration. One requires all their concentration on the object until complete. The use of letters as mnemonics will help remember the rest.
The memory requires attention and is vital in the life of a human being. The attitudes that often distract the mind as being alert, focussed, motivated and awareness contribute to loss of memory. The memory requires caring just of like the rest of the body and the best way is to exercise the mind by reading, playing intelligent games such as chess will help one be alert even at an old age. The avoidance of using drugs that affect the brain is mandatory. The anxiety and worries often lead to lack of concentration, and if facing this, a person is required to seek professional help. The use of healthy foods and a balanced diet helps strengthen the brain for the children and adult, as well. The taking of breaks while learning helps an individual recall at ease.
Reference
Driscoll, M. (2001). Psychology of learning for assessment. 2nd Ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
In Valente, M., In Hosford-Dunn, H., & In Roeser, R. J. (2008). Audiology: Treatment. New York: Thieme.
