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Science
is still shy of human brain. It is too complex and
elusive to today's scientific or technological
sophistication. However, recent research in America
into memory has revealed some tentative facts. It
appears the neuroscientist in the U.S. were on the
threshold of discovering the basic alphabet in which
memory is coded in the brain. It appears all functions
of the brain have some bearing on the memory. “So if
this alphabet proves as universal as molecular
alphabets of genes, it would begin to unlock the
secrets of the brain, just as decoding of DNA has
begun to unlock the secrets of genetics.”
This may also lead to getting some glimpses into the
brain-mind connection. Immediately the researchers at
the Columbia University's school of physicians and
surgeons in New York have unearthed some astonishingly
clear details about habituation, sensitization and
classical conditioning.
(1) Habituation getting used to unpleasant things so
that you learn to ignore them.
(2) Sensitization you have become hypersensitive to
some imminent unpleasant experiences, or you had gone
through them before.
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(3)
Classical Conditioning - these are about associations.
Lots of times memory works on the basis of
recollection.
Another aspect of memory: Short-term memory and
long-term memory. Before this research, psychologists
had held that there were physically separate
'cabinets' handling the events of short-memory and
long-memory. But now the present research says they
are situated in one place. However the work in this
area is speculative.
The experiments are being done on animals. For this
particular investigation snail has been chosen, as
there is remarkable resemblance between its brain and
the human brain in certain significant factors. These
experiments are said to 'fit the idea that every
memory involves a network of neuron'. In many other
ways the human brain are very complex. Let us hope
this is only a beginning, but the right kind of
beginning for carrying out more sophisticated
investigations and unraveling better understanding of
human brain and mind. |
