WHERE IS MEMORY LOCATED IN THE BRAIN?
To answer this question simply, memory can be found in many different regions of the brain. In fact this question can be broken down into several categories:
*Semantic encoding as discussed on the “Encoding” page can be found in the lower left frontal lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Visual imagery encoding (having mental pictures) can be found in the occipital lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Organizational encoding also discussed on the “Encoding” page can be found in the upper frontal lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Long-term memory is found in the hippocampus region of the brain which is located in the temporal lobe. These findings were determined after studying a patient named Henry Molaison who had parts of his temporal lobe removed including the hippocampus. (Schacter 2014)
*Memory retrieval can be found it two areas of the brain. The left frontal lobe shows increased activity when people attempt to retrieve information that was presented to them earlier. Even more interesting is that when information is “successfully” retrieved, it tends to be accompanied by activity in the hippocampus region or area of the temporal lobe. (Schacter 2014)
*Episodic memory or “mental time travel” allows people to revisit experiences in the past and it’s also used for imagining the future. Episodic memory can be found networked in the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the frontal lobe (Schacter 2014).
References
Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner, & Nock. (2014). Psychology third edition. New York: 41 Madison Ave. Worth Publishers
*Semantic encoding as discussed on the “Encoding” page can be found in the lower left frontal lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Visual imagery encoding (having mental pictures) can be found in the occipital lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Organizational encoding also discussed on the “Encoding” page can be found in the upper frontal lobe based on fMRI studies (Schacter 2014).
*Long-term memory is found in the hippocampus region of the brain which is located in the temporal lobe. These findings were determined after studying a patient named Henry Molaison who had parts of his temporal lobe removed including the hippocampus. (Schacter 2014)
*Memory retrieval can be found it two areas of the brain. The left frontal lobe shows increased activity when people attempt to retrieve information that was presented to them earlier. Even more interesting is that when information is “successfully” retrieved, it tends to be accompanied by activity in the hippocampus region or area of the temporal lobe. (Schacter 2014)
*Episodic memory or “mental time travel” allows people to revisit experiences in the past and it’s also used for imagining the future. Episodic memory can be found networked in the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the frontal lobe (Schacter 2014).
References
Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner, & Nock. (2014). Psychology third edition. New York: 41 Madison Ave. Worth Publishers