Aging is associated with memory loss of human beings and is known phenomenon. Researchers worked on aging shown that aging is associated with memory loss especially in the standpoint of cognitive psychology. Current research based on previous research carried out and memory tests revealed that memory is not only the single factor affecting the memory dysfunction. Aging and various other factors and conditions have detrimental effect on some specific memory types than others. Five memory systems which process different kinds of information that intervene by various areas of the human brain is at risk to aging, semantic, working and episodic memory. These memory systems are responsible for different functions of memory in brain like acquisition of information is processed by procedural memory. Perceptual memory systems are responsible for encoding and sustaining sensory information (Luo and Craik,). This paper seeks to link memory loss with the aging process, while analyzing the implications on human life in the hope of subduing the effects of aging.
Aging and Memory
Luo and Craik (2008) identified the modifications in human memory during the aging process of humans. Significant research is present which shows affects of aging in different memory systems in human beings. Different memory systems are responsible for different functions and retaining information in human brain. Memory systems responsible for procedures and perceptual memory functions present various aging-related affects however working, episodic memory and prospective memory indicates the memory loss with normal aging process. Semantic memory which is responsible for preserving facts and knowledge retained more time in older individuals with the condition that memory is used frequently however recalling targeted information such as person names is significantly affected and memory loss is observed in older individuals. The procedural and perceptual memory types are implicit; acquire information effortlessly and generally retained with the age and easily accessible even in older individuals. Small amount of information is managed and retaining of conscious information by working. The distinction of memory functions can also be discussed in primary and working memory; primary responsible for holding short time memory while working memory is responsible for manipulating information in human brain.
Other significant issues are related to aging includes that older individuals face problems associated with memory tasks which are complex in nature, require efforts and strategic. It is proved that memory loss is associated with the processing speeds of the human brain which is also affected by the normal aging factor. This is obvious that complex tasks require different types of processing by human mind are suffered reduced performance as well as reduced memory functions. Bopp and Verhaeghen (2009) argued that age differences also matter in short-term memory which requires only retaining and maintaining of information for a short period of time. Although, the response of older individuals to short term task is slower than the younger ones but still it can be declared that age has very limited affect on memory of human beings. They further argued that that the overall effects of age on performance revealed that accuracy is less while response time is comparable long in older individuals. It is also found in research and experimentation that age has serious effects on memory capacity and processing speed even in a simple task. The second finding revealed that memory does not affect older individuals performance in this working memory task.
Link between memory and aging
Memory loss can also be due to some diseases like Alzheimer disease instead of aging factor. The people affected by this disease have shown serious concerns over memory loss (Bisiacchi, Borella, Bergamaschi, Carretti and Mondini, 2008). Older individuals are witnessed performing less than younger individuals on tasks of associative, relative to item, memory. This is due to reason because older individuals have less potential to encode associative information. The two important memory systems which are most affected are: semantic memory is increased with advancement in age while episodic memory which retains day-to-day information decrease significantly (Wang, Dew and Giovanello, 2010). Research also revealed that memory loss in human memory for associations formed between individual stimuli, compared with relatively small differences in memory for the individual stimuli themselves.
Direct forgetting refers to a deliberate attempt to limit the future expression of specific memory contents. This influence of forgetting involves in forgetting differences of information from human brain over the time period and also affected by interference (Hogge, Adam and Colletter, 2008). This is directly involved in recalling the outdated information and update memory for this particular information while removing outdated information which is no longer required. This memory loss is directly affected by DF processes in normal aging process. The experimentation showed that information tagged with information for remembrance or forgetting of information which is clue fore better remembrance or forgetting an item. It is clearly observed that differential encoding and rehearsal of items which are tagged for remembrance and are marked for later recalling of information. It is also proved that decreased DF effect for older individuals arises because of enhancement of retrieval of forgetting information stored in memory and decreased remembrance of information tagged for information remembrance.
Current Issues
This paper is aimed for finding association of aging and various factors affecting memory. Aging is natural process which must occur in every human life and memory is important for proper functioning during day to day activities. Older individuals which are affected by memory loss problem face serious problems in remembering even day-to-day activities in having social activities. The standards of living for older individuals and people who are in aging process face serious problems. Memory loss due to aging especially in short term memory face problems because of not remembering even short while activities and information which is required by them to live normally. Procedural memory which is important for preserving sensory-motor tasks such as bicycle riding is remembered for long term in this memory system. The rate of retention of this type of memory increased and observed which increases the history memories in older age while only problem is with the short term memory which is badly affected in older ages and people tend to forget little tasks which are essential for their routine life (Ober, n.d).
Memory problems which are appear in later ages can be eliminated or at least controlled by following tips told by psychologists like regular medical checkups, engagement in activities which are designed for maintenance of memory and information, regular exercise, participation in social activities physically, take healthier activities like dancing, use well balanced diet which includes all different type of ingredients like proteins, mineral, vitamins which are important for brain and ultimately memory system. Keeping stress levels low at older age and having long sleep which is normally seven to eight hours is important for memory retention and improved performance (Ober, n.d).
Conclusion
In conclusion, aging has direct affect on memory loss especially in the memory system which is related to the short term memory. Researchers found that there is no evidence of aging affecting memory of humans in other memory systems especially memory which deals with long term and permanent memory. This memory loss due to aging problem at later age brings many new issues including the disturbed daily life of individuals due forgetting issue. One such issue can be termed as direct forgetting which is present in older individuals. However, the long term memory tends to get more rich and accessible in later ages. Memory loss can be prevented by following precautionary measures which must under take by the older individuals to increase their short term memory system which can halt their life due to these problems. More research is required for find out the effects of aging and memory loss in other memory systems which are not clear by previous researchers and experimentation.
References
Bisiacchi,P.S, Borella, E., Bergamaschi, S., Carretti, B. & Mondini, S., 2008. Interplay between memory and executive functions in normal and pathological aging. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 723-733.
Bopp, K.L. and Verhaeghen, P., 2009. Working memory and aging: separating the effects of content and context. Psychology and aging, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 968-980.
Hogge, M., Adam, S. and Colletter, F., 2008. Directed forgetting and aging: the role of retrieval processes, processing speed, and proactive interference. Aging, neuropsychology and cognition, Vol. 15, pp. 471-491.
Luo, L. and Craik, F.IM., 2008. Aging and memory: a cognitive approach. Can J Psychiatry, Vol. 53 No. 6, pp. 346-353.
Ober, B.A, n.d.. Memory, brain and aging: the good, the bad and the promising. California agriculture, Vol. 64 No. 4.
Wang, W., Dew, I.T.Z. and Giovanello, K.S., 2010. Effects of aging and prospective memory on recognition of item and associative information. Psychology and aging, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 486-491.
