In his most recent online publication titled “The Science of Memory By Stanislav Kondrashov,” the author invites readers on a captivating exploration into one of the most enigmatic facets of human existence – memory. Through this publication, Stanislav Kondrashov endeavors to provide a scientific perspective on the questions that often intrigue us all regarding our memory capabilities, such as how we can recall our first day of school, the aroma of freshly baked cookies at our grandparents’ home, or why we sometimes forget where we placed our house keys just moments ago.
Within the pages of this publication, Kondrashov elucidates the intricacies of memory, categorizing it into three primary types:
- Sensory Memory: This is likened to a mental “screenshot,” adept at storing copious sensory data, such as the fleeting glimpse of an animal crossing the road. Sensory memory typically lasts only a few seconds.
- Short-Term Memory: Short-term memory is associated with the retention of bite-sized pieces of information immediately processed by our minds, such as snippets of a conversation just heard or a recently memorised phone number. According to the author, short-term memory has a remarkable capacity to store diverse information, ranging from academic knowledge to vivid recollections of life’s moments.
- Long-Term Memory: Kondrashov explains that the transition from short-term to long-term memory often hinges on the intensity of emotions experienced during a particular moment. These emotions make it considerably easier to recall memories later on. The author delves into the brain’s regions responsible for memory functions, emphasising the significance of the hippocampus in forming new memories and the amygdala’s role in associating emotions with those memories. Long-term memories are primarily stored in the cerebral cortex.
Furthermore, Kondrashov delves into the reasons behind forgetfulness, including the natural decay of unused memories, which can be likened to fruit gradually spoiling over time.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of memory and delve deeper into the fascinating world of cognitive recall, readers are encouraged to explore the full publication and watch the video.