The modern world is oversaturated with information, news streams are updated every second, and the brain has to somehow cope with these unthinkable volumes. In order to adequately perceive everything around, a person must be a real superman. But, unfortunately, we do not possess superpowers, and it’s very difficult to fit all the knowledge gained in the head.
What is the memory?
Depending on the methods of storing information, the memory is divided into mechanical and logical. The latter is often called semantic. Types of mechanical memory can be the following: hereditary and intravital.
Mechanical memory
The main difference between this type of memory is the memorization of any information only in the form in which it is presented. Mechanical memory is based on the nerve connections of the first signaling system. When a person studies the information that is expressed in words, then the words themselves will remain in the head, exactly exactly how they were perceived. If we are talking about physical exercises, then a person will remember the movements themselves, which he needs to repeat, and only in the sequence in which they were visually perceived. In this case, the logical or semantic content of the material fades into the background, but, of course, does not lose its significance. The volume of mechanical memory is inexhaustible.
When is mechanical memory working best?
Of course, this method of memorization, especially in schools or universities, is not an indicator of the level of knowledge. However, it also has its positive aspects. For example, if you are studying a foreign language, you must necessarily remember not only how new words are pronounced, but also how they are written. This can not be done if you do not concentrate on memorizing them in accurate visual and auditory images. When mastering difficult professional terms, it is mechanical memory that is involved, otherwise the latter are remembered and reproduced with errors and speech distortions. Mechanical memory also works when familiarizing yourself with simple physical exercises in physical education classes or in gyms.
The positive result of memorizing a particular material when using mechanical memory is based on the fixation of certain relationships between the parts of the studied information on the basis of associations.
However, it is not enough just to memorize the necessary information in its external manifestation, it is important to be able to hold it in memory for a long time. This is due to the great plasticity of the nervous system. And after a couple of repetitions, strong bonds are formed and fixed in the head. Most often this is observed in those who have a truly outstanding mechanical memory. If a person does not have such abilities, you can memorize the necessary information by repeated repetition, due to which weak nervous connections become stronger, the necessary paths are repeated between certain parts of the cerebral cortex, which are important in remembering the information received.
How does mechanical memorization of material occur?
The main technique of mechanical memory is memorization by repeatedly reading, viewing, or repeating certain elements. These manipulations are very primitive, their essence is one hundred percent repetition of the same material in the images of the first signaling system, which helps to solidify the nerve connections.
As for study, material learned mechanically is reproduced only in expressions and actions, initially taken as a basis, without any deviations. If mistakes were made during the training, they will be repeated during the reproduction of the material.
The same applies to movements: a learned physical exercise or simple dance will be reproduced in exactly the same form in which they were presented. If during the repetition of movements or material other conditions are created that are different from those used during memorization, a mechanically learned exercise will be difficult to repeat, since it will be difficult for a person to adapt to changes. For this reason, the exercise cannot be repeated exactly as it was learned.
Logical memory
The main difference between logical and mechanical memory is that it is directed not to memory, but to the concept of the meaning of the information received. Logical memory is based on the work of thinking. In order for information to undergo logical storage, it is first analyzed, broken down into components that are divided into important and not very significant.
Logical memory is the result of mental work, which finds expression in the form of words, patterns, drawings, and so on, reflecting in the mind of a person primarily the meaning of the subject, and not visual or auditory manifestations.
Differences of logical memory from mechanical
First of all, these are the features of reproduction: logical memory appears in the form of independently meaningful presentation, while mechanical memory - in the form of an exact repetition of information.
Logical memory has many components, this should be not only a superficial analysis of the material, but also its understanding, understanding and reproduction in verbal form. Logical memory, like mechanical, needs to repeat the information provided. Without a regular return to the information received, knowledge will not be fixed in memory 100%.
Another significant difference is that with mechanical memory, repetitions are aimed at remembering the same connections that are unchanged. That is why with each repetition the same text or movement is reproduced. For example, schoolchildren memorize poetry in a clearly defined sequence. This is a mechanical memory, which in any other case will not reach its goal.
With logical memorization, a person tries to understand the meaning of the information being studied, which with each new repetition may differ from the previous one. The meaning remains the same, but it can be expressed every time in a new way. Logical and mechanical memory according to the method of study are very different.
Productivity
Logical memory is much more productive than mechanical. The explanation of this fact is simple - logical memory is based on numerous and diverse relationships. It has been scientifically proven that the information that remained in the head through logical memorization is stored much better than the exact same information, but acquired with the help of mechanical memory.
This is interesting: as practice shows, material that was learned using logical memory can be preserved for life, without subsequent repetitions. But mechanically memorized information is very quickly forgotten; remains in the head for a long time only with regular repetitions. The study of logical and mechanical memory continues to this day, because the capabilities of the brain are still not 100% explored.
Interesting facts about memory
Thanks to memory, a person daily uses experience: his own and his ancestors. However, logical and mechanical memory are complex mechanisms that have their own nuances.
- A person begins to use the memory already in the womb, she begins to work 20 weeks after conception. The fetus even responds to the noise of an ultrasound scan. Scientists are of the opinion that a person can remember everything that happened to him, not only in childhood, but even in the womb.
- Memory is individual, as it is influenced by many factors. For example, some have better developed visual memory, while others have auditory. Information that is interesting to the person is best remembered. But the ability to remember can always be trained.
- Age is not always a memory impairment. Often you can hear complaints about poor memory from the elderly. But this is not entirely true, the whole point is that by adulthood a person stops learning, the skill to strain memory disappears, and it does not train at all. For example, actors who have learned new roles all their lives, and in old age, cope with voluminous texts without any problems. This proves once again that the development of memory depends only on training, and not on age.
- The skill of forgetting is also present in humans. After all, it is impossible to remember everything, and the ability to forget is a real salvation for the human brain. The memory itself regulates the load, freeing the head from unnecessary information or impressions. But this does not mean at all that the old information is completely erased, the data simply goes from the stage of activity to the stage of passivity, from where it can, if desired, be extracted.
Memory can always be improved by training, taking vitamins and proper nutrition.