How We Memorize

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Memory and our ability to memorize is a very interesting process.

When we first commit something to memory, we actually stimulate certain brain waves to achieve the task. In a recent study, people were told to try and remember a series of famous people or important places. Their brain wave patterns were studied when they did this. A few minutes later they were asked to remember the pictures they saw. What they discovered was that the brain wave activity was so predictable, scientists were able to tell if people would remember or not.

What this shows is that there is a pattern to memory. There are certain triggers in the brain and certain neural pathways. All of those things come together, and they work in similar ways in just about everybody.

This does not explain why some people are better than others at memorization but it explains the process.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor