Usmle Review Facts: Long-term Memory

The more often a fact, event or idea is encountered, the stronger is its representations in memory. Furthermore, two experiences that occur closely in time are apt to be linked in memory, so that when one is remembered the other is activated. Thus, information in long-term memory is represented in cognitive associative structures – the more reason that the USMLE review consistently exposes you to learning experiences that you already learned from medical school.

Humans do not process information like computers. Human memory is content addressable. Information on the same topic is stored together, so that knowing what is being looked for will most likely lead to recalling the information. In contrast, computers are location addressable. Computers have to be told where information is to be stored. The nearness of the files or data sets on a hard drive or disk to other files is purely arbitrary. Another difference is that information is stored precisely in computers. Human memory is less precise but often more colorful or informative. The name Meryll Drake is stored in a computer's memory as “Meryll Drake.” In human memory, it may be stored as Merry Dane or Mary Dame.

The human mind is akin to a library. Information in a library is content addressable because books on similar content are stored under similar call numbers. Information in the mind is also cross-referenced. Knowledge that cuts across different content areas can be accessed through either area. For instance, you are trying to study indications for dialysis. Dialysis is indicated for managing terminal kidney disease. The dialysis will act as the kidney. To remember how dialysis works, you need to access your memory on normal physiology of the kidneys, how it filters the waste materials from the blood then brings back the blood to the circulation. The process of the kidney is not under your memory of “kidney disease management.” It is in another section, so to speak. This is cross-referencing process of your brain.

In USMLE review sessions, you are made to share ideas and learning experiences from medical school, not only to assess what you know but to create situations that will be significant for your learning. For instance, a colleague of yours shared about his experience with a relative undergoing dialysis. Let’s say he was able to give a clear picture of the side effects of the medical management. The learning of the side effects becomes significant and is further committed to your long-term memory slot because of the story behind the learning. It won't be as meaningful and you will find it difficult to remember if you only read it from the medical textbooks.

Knowledge that you commit to memory varies from person to person. It is important that you use all your senses as much as possible. The more senses are stimulated, the more it is easier to remember. Notice how USMLE review mentors encourage you to listen, to participate, talk or share what you feel in USMLE forums? When you discuss or talk about a certain issue, you use at least three of your senses – eyes to communicate with your listeners, your ears to listen to their reactions and feedback, your feelings to express yourself. The more frequent, the more senses are used, the better for you to encode such learning experiences to your long-term memory slot.

By: Gerald Faye Johnson

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Gerald Faye Johnson is an Educational Content Consultant for various Step One USMLE Reviews produced by Apollo Audiobooks, LLC and Premedical Solutions, LLC. You can find the source interview podcast for this USMLE 1 resource at our website.