The memory is the ability to store the events, things and details that we have come across in our life. Not only humans, but even animals have memory. The brain stores all the necessary information about some event or thing, only if it watched, heard or sensed carefully. Any information that our senses have obtained is gathered and stored in the brain methodically. When the information is obtained, firstly it is encoded. This way the brain registers the event in some particular form. Next step is to store the information. And finally the third process of recalling of the event takes place.
The storage of the event depends on the amount of attention that has been paid towards that event. Depending on the retention of memory, there are three types of memory. The first is "sensory memory". The memorization after sensing the object for 2 to 5 seconds is known as sensory. The amount of recalled items is less than the items sensed in this case. Another type is "Short term memory". Some of the information from sensory memory is transferred to Short memory-section. In this the person can remember the details for a shorter duration. If he sees any other item, the new information is overlapped on the previous one. So he forgets the previous item. The third type is "Long term". The information stored in this section is remembered after a long time also. For example, some happy moments from childhood can still be remembered in adulthood.
Imagination
Memories have strong effect on the imagination. It is the ability to form different images in mind. It is the ability that distinguishes humans from animals. Humans can memorize the events, objects or persons and can also imagine. It is mostly dependent on the memory and in turn the perception of a certain person. Imagination plays a major part in human progress. Without it, there would be no paintings, no large buildings, no bridges and no new structure. Almost all the civilization is based on the outputs of imaginations.
The memory and imagination are interlinked. The objects stored in the memory section can only be used as the tools to grow on imagination. The imagination is the combination of memory, perception and its association. For example, if the architecture doesn't know how a building looks like, he won't be able to generate new designs for houses.
The imagination is believed to be a natural ability. Some of the very imaginative people turn out to be authors, painters or movie directors. But a normal person can also develop the ability to imagine. Actually while reading a fantasy filled story, one tends to imagine all the events and characters mentioned in the story. This is the preliminary stage of imagination. One can imagine his own story also. When recalled some past events that has a major impact on mind, various events can be imagined step by step. The persons involved in that event can be made to remember along with the details related to him. When practiced this way for long, one can develop the imagination ability.
Conclusion
Imagination and memory walk hand in hand. Information in it can come out with a new form with the help of imagination. While studying a subject such as electronics, theories related to current flow and voltage can only be imagined. This way imagination helps to remember the facts. |
