2.4 Memory
Our memories form the basis for our sense of self, guide our thoughts and decisions, influence our emotional reactions, and allow us to learn. As such, memory is central to cognition and cognitive development” (Pathman & Bauer, 2020, para. 1).
Memory is defined as the ability to encode, store, and retrieve information. Our ability to form and use memories influences our actions. Memory is divided into several sub-sections that are mediated by different regions of the brain. See the next reading for more information.
As the human brain develops in the first years of life, so does our capacity for memory. Memory is an important tool for learning and communicating.
Dr. Ron Barr, professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, researches infant memory. In the next clip, he explains researchers have confirmed that infants, even newborns, definitely do have the capacity for memory.
In the next clip, Barr discusses how researchers can tell that infants remember pre-birth experiences.
The capacity for early learning is demonstrated in these studies. What are the implications for caregivers?
The research of Dr. Charles Nelson is focused on memory and face/object recognition. Face recognition seems to be related to the development of attachment or the strong intense and emotional connection between an infant and primary caregivers. In the first clip you will see examples of research with infants conducted in Nelson’s lab and in the second video, you will see examples of, and hear Nelson describe, his research on voice recognition, face recognition and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging studies).
What did you find most interesting about this research?
What are some of the implications of this research?
In the next video, Nelson describes the different types of memory and how they develop in the brain in infancy and early childhood.
Visit the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Children’s Hospital, Boston to learn more about current research by Nelson and his colleagues.
The following article by Pathman and Bauer (2020) looks at the connection between the development of declarative/conscious or explicit memory and the parts of the brain that are involved in memory tasks and how these change during early development.
The authors make the point that people used to think infants lacked memory abilities. How do you think research findings that demonstrate infant abilities might affect caregivers? How might it affect policy makers?
How does the information in this article and the videos on this page add to your understanding of brain development?
