Memory (SPEECH OUTLINE)

Memory

Specific purpose: to increase my audience's understanding of how memory functions and how it affects them.

Central idea: Memory is a process of the brain which is prone to certain failures, although specific steps can be taken to guard against these failures.

Introduction

I. Memory problems can affect us in many ways.

A. Some of you might have had problems finding your keys before you came to class.

B. Some of you have certainly suffered from "What's Your Name Again?" syndrome.

1. We can remember attributes of people without being able to recall their names.

2. For instance, you may not know my name but you would be able to recognize me as being in your class.

II. I will explain some of the basic ways memory can fail and how to take care of your memory.

A. Memory can fail in numerous ways, from the common examples above to more devasting problems, like Alzheimer's disease.

B. Fortunately, brain problems like Alzheimer's can be delayed or even prevented.

C. In order to understand how human memory fails, we need a basic understanding of how it works.

Body

I. Memory is a complex process that takes place primarily in the brain.

Cite: Cognition Lab @ NASA, website

A. Short-term memory is the first memory formed.

1. Short-term memory holds memories that were created recently for a short period of time.

a. includes sensory memory

b. can turn into long-term memory

B. Long-term memory stores memories created throughout our past that we may need at a future time.

1. For long term memory to be formed from short-term memory, three conditions must be met:

a. attention

b. repetition

c. connection

2. There are two basic types of long-term memory:

Cite: Dr. Eric Kendel in States of Mind, Columbia professor and director of Columbia's Center for Neurobiology and Behavior

a. implicit

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...p; ii. seems to protect brain's central learning & reasoning regions from shrinkage

b. All-around healthy diet is recommended.

Conclusion

I. Take care of your brain, because your memory is one of your most important assets.

II. Keep in mind that your memory is imperfect.

A. Memory is generally effective.

B. People's memories can make errors such that they believe in a memory that is inaccurate.

C. Even your memory can fail, so don't believe everything that you remember.

Works Cited

Begley, Sharon. "Memory's Mind Games." Newsweek 16 July 2001: 52-54.

Conlan, Roberta, ed. States of Mind. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999.

Human Memory. 1998. NASA Cognition Lab. <http://eos.arc.nasa.gov/cognition/tutorials/ModelOf/Knowmore1.html>.

Lemonick, Michael and Alice Park. "The Nun Study." Time 14 May 2001: 54-65.

Loftus, Elizabeth, and Katherine Ketcham. Witness for the Defense: The Accused, the Eyewitness, and the Expert Who Puts Memory on Trial. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992.