Memory in psychology is an accumulation of certain processes directly responsible for storage, accumulation, and, if necessary, reproduction of various types of information structures. Emotional memory is the accumulation and reproduction of experienced emotional experience, which is tightly “fused” in the psyche with the specific event that caused the emotion.
How to manage this type of memory, develop and strengthen this ability? What are the functions of memory for feelings and emotions. Without the ability to remember traumatic experiences, a person would not be able to fully develop.
Types of memory: emotional memory
The famous psychologist P. P. Blonsky identified 4 main types of memory. The basis for dividing memory into motor, emotional, figurative and logical is which mental activity is more clearly expressed in the process of memorization. So, memory happens:
- Motor - remembering movements. Cycling, skating, knitting - all this is possible thanks to the work of motor, or otherwise, motor memory.
- Emotional - the ability to remember feelings and emotions associated with an object, event or phenomenon.
- Figurative - memory for images of nature, auditory or taste images, or conceptual constants formed in the form of an abstract image.
- Verbal-logical. Memorizing mental images, concepts embedded in words and connections between concepts. It develops when the child can already perceive abstract categories.
Memory of the verbal-logical type is the most complex and develops later than other types, thanks to volitional efforts. If logical memory is well developed, then in an adult it becomes leading in all mental activity. Then a person can direct and control all processes of memorization and reproduction.
As for emotional memory, it is this process that plays a key role in the formation of a socialized personality. It is impossible to make decisions about your future activities without relying on your internal states. Without remembering emotional states, a person would not be able to learn from his mistakes.
Kinds
The criterion for division will be what activity of mental processes is expressed during memorization. There are 4 main types of memory:
- Motor. Movements are remembered. Movement and any motor functions are postponed with the direct participation of motor memory.
- Emotional. The ability to remember sensations associated with things, events or phenomena.
- Figurative. Memorizing various silhouettes, outlines, concepts that are formed as an abstract image.
- Verbal-logical. Memorizing mental images, concepts that are embedded in words and conclusions. Formed in childhood.
The latter is considered the most difficult and appears later than the others, due to the effort of will.
How does emotional memory work?
The work is based on the interaction of several structural elements: emotions themselves, positive or negative, feelings, thoughts and information that stimulates the individual’s thoughts and feelings. They are closely interconnected and it is impossible to separate the components in the stream of consciousness. How do you remember emotions?
An experienced situation or phenomenon leaves a trace in the psyche called an engram. Emotions help us determine how successful our relationships with society are and whether our personal relationships are successful. The stronger the emotion, the brighter and clearer the engram. Then a sudden reminder can awaken this trace in memory and “pull out” all the emotions. However, the strength and quality of the newly reproduced emotions differ from the initial reaction. For example, after several years, an event that was upsetting may already be perceived as a funny incident. This is due to the fact that the mental assessment of the event is already different.
In the process of memorization, generalization of experiences often occurs. This means that the stimulus that caused the experience is eventually combined with other stimuli. Because of this, a person sometimes cannot clearly remember the real reason for his fear.
Features of emotional memory
The emotional type of memory is a kind of indicator of a person’s internal state. Our emotions characterize how successful our relationships are in our personal lives and in society.
According to the outstanding scientist P. P. Blonsky, the emotions experienced by a person during a specific event are brighter than those that he experiences, retrieving from memory over time. Gradually they weaken, mixing with other emotions and reasoning. But as soon as a person finds himself in a similar situation, a pronounced emotion is instantly retrieved from memory and can push us to perform certain actions or, conversely, deter us from them. A feature of emotional memory is that a person especially vividly and clearly remembers three feelings: fear, suffering and surprise. However, there is a certain difference in the perception of these feelings. Thus, surprise is remembered as a factor that surprised, and the feeling itself is not re-experienced during recall. Suffering and fear are remembered as feelings.
Which emotions are remembered better, positive or negative? Practice shows that negative emotions are remembered better, because even animals have negative emotions in their minds for many years, which, by the way, allows them to maintain their population. In addition, a person has the ability to “transfer” received emotions from one stimulus to similar ones. If, for example, a person was seriously poisoned by mushrooms in childhood, then, as he grows up, he will probably subconsciously be afraid of eating them. Another example: if a child repeatedly experienced strong fear in childhood, then in the future this can lead to distrust and timidity. The same thing is observed in animals. So, for example, if a dog that was hit by a car survived, then for the rest of its life it will probably be afraid of cars.
Emotional and figurative types of memory
Human emotional memory is closely interconnected with images. Due to the fact that emotions brighten experienced events and captured patterns, our brain is able to produce new images that did not exist. That is, to create art and poetry.
Images can be visual, olfactory and even gustatory. Emotional images are best remembered by actors and poets. It is for these people that emotional memory is always leading. And just like in any other profession, you need to be able to manage images.
How does EM work?
Functioning is based on the interrelation of several structures: emotions (positive or negative), sensations, thoughts and information that encourages human thinking. They are closely connected and inseparable in the subconscious.
For example, after reading a story, a person is not able to remember the writer or the title 4-5 days later. And the aroma of the pages, the cover and the euphoria from a read book can be remembered for many years. According to recent studies, adrenal hormones are actively involved in storing various events, but they are not involved in ordinary memories. Perhaps a specific memory mechanism forms a similar vividness of impressions of past events in a person.
In psychological science, this type of memory is studied because of its ability to form unconscious emotions that embrace when unconscious irritating factors appear. For example, as a child, a man went to buy fresh bread, on the way home he smelled a pleasant smell, broke off a piece, but suddenly a dog ran out and scared him. As time passes, having forgotten about this incident, a person will walk near this place and feel that smell and feeling of fear and anxiety.
Not everyone has this type of memory developed to the same extent. This is easy to understand by interviewing 2 children who rode the carousel about their emotions. The first will animatedly tell you in detail about each episode and everything that caught his attention. Another will say that he liked it without going into details. A year later, 1 will remember everything in detail, and 2 will only indicate the very fact of spending time on the carousel.
How are works of art created? The role of emotional memory
People of creative professions are good at using images. They need to be able to analyze and synthesize images, make analogies and produce new ideas. Without constant attention to these mental processes; to the accumulated emotional experience, the images will be blurry. Accordingly, the actor will not be able to reproduce them clearly enough on stage.
The ability to select a chain of similar images for each image is important. All great geniuses were able to keep in memory many such chains of emotional images, which they then embodied in music or drawing. This can be learned. Another important characteristic of the emotional memory of a creative person is a low threshold of sensitivity. The lower the threshold of emotional sensitivity, the more information about the world and other people a creative person can perceive and embody.
Physiological basis of memory
The existence of emotions was confirmed by science when an area called the amygdala was discovered deep in the temporal lobe of the brain. This part of the limbic system is responsible for the emergence of emotions. But vegetative changes in the body under the influence of fear, for example, are the work of the hypothalamus. The processes occurring in the limbic system are both electrical and biochemical in nature; they affect the condition of all organs and systems.
Emotions are therefore always accompanied by activation of the nervous system and changes in blood pressure.
Thanks to the work of the limbic system, a living organism develops using motivation. Behavior is unconsciously either directed to where the person receives reinforcement in the form of positive emotions, or blocked when faced with fear or pain.
All strong emotions are consolidated in memory through the formation of synaptic connections. Various parts of the brain take part in the formation of a memory imprint:
- cerebral cortex: parietal, temporal and frontal;
- the cerebellum is responsible for remembering body movements;
- hippocampus;
- subcortical nodes.
Connections between neurons are not established immediately. The work of chemicals such as endorphins, calcium and enkephalins is important here. These substances are neurotransmitters - hormones that transmit impulses between neurons.
The memorization process requires energy and proteins. Therefore, for a good memory it is necessary to eat well.
Development of emotional memory in children and adults
In order for this type of memory to better develop in a child, you need to help him “turn on” more often imaginative thinking, take him to interesting places and accustom him to the world of literature and theater from childhood.
In adults, one type of memory already dominates, and the psyche is aimed at a certain type of activity. It is very difficult for a mature adult to change perceptions and start thinking differently. However, everyone has emotional memory, and you can try to develop it better and bring it to a conscious level.
What tasks need to be performed to develop this type of memory? Emotional memory is trained if every day, while reading a book, you write down on paper the emotions that arise from the actions of one or another character in your favorite book. Then try to analyze the hero’s inner world, conflict situations between him and society. You can also choose a film for such an analysis.
Development of emotional memory in a child
Emotional memory should be developed from early childhood. In childhood, you can develop a positive attitude towards others, a certain intellectual potential and self-confidence based on many positive memories. Here are some simple exercises that will help develop emotional memory in a child:
- For a walk, choose a place where your child has not been before. While walking, draw his attention to the space around you (sounds, birds, insects, trees), while commenting on what is happening in a positive context and accompanying your story with affection, hugs, and all sorts of pleasant surprises. These memories will help the child to more easily endure unpleasant events in life in the future.
- Exercise “Magic bag”. Its essence lies in the fact that the child is asked to remember the events that caused him discomfort, fears, and pain. These emotions are then mentally transformed into an object or objects, placed in a bag and tied tightly. At the same time, the child figuratively gets rid of the negativity that was taken from him and put in a bag.
- Exercise “I’m happy.” This is a group exercise that is performed as follows: a ball is thrown to the child. Having caught it, the child must tell about the event at which he was happy. After this, the child throws the ball to another participant in the game, who must also tell about his happy event.
Functions of emotional memory
Why does someone who is not creative need such a memory? The development of emotional memory is necessary for everyone, because a person without emotional experience is uninteresting in communication. In addition, such people are not able to empathize, share painful things and, in essence, are very lonely in their lives. So, we can highlight several functions:
- promotes personality development;
- forms emotional intelligence;
- helps to better navigate society, so it is needed by teachers and company directors;
- influences the development of creativity.
Emotional intelligence: formation
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and control emotions. Without developing emotional intelligence, it is impossible to successfully lead a team. This is an important quality of true leaders.
A person with developed emotional intelligence is easy to recognize. He gets along well with the people around him, as he understands both his own and other people's emotions. He is always friendly and cheerful.
Conclusion
All behavior throughout life is built on the basis of the emotional experience of the individual. The basis for dividing memory into motor and emotional is the mental activity that is more often used by the individual.
The entire limbic system is responsible for maintaining and developing the emotional state. It includes: the amygdala (amygdala), hypothalamus, mastoid body, hippocampus, olfactory triangle, and other structures. Memory is formed through the synthesis of long-term connections between brain neurons.
The ability to create is, first of all, a developed figurative and emotional memory. The development of figurative memory is necessary for those who decide to devote themselves to literary, musical or acting creative activity.
presentation “Development of emotional memory”
Slide 1
Development of emotional memory in acting classes. Author-compiler: Ekaterina Vladimirovna Rozhkova, director of the Fantasy theater group.
Slide 2
“Thinking, memory and imagination are inseparable” L.S. Vygotsky
Slide 3
Memory is the ability to retain and produce in consciousness previous impressions, experiences, as well as the very stock of impressions and experiences stored in consciousness. Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
Slide 4
Types of memory: - Short-term; - Long-term; — Operational; — Motor; — Emotional; - Figurative; - Verbal-logical; - Free; — Involuntary
Slide 5
Emotional memory is very important in acting.
Slide 6
Emotional memory is associated with sensory experience. It is capable of causing experiences, being a kind of projection of previously received sensations and sensory images caused by this onto what is happening at the moment. That is why, in Stanislavski’s system, emotional memory is a key point in acting in achieving persuasiveness and a sense of truth.
Slide 7
Emotional memory – remembering, preserving and reproducing emotionally charged phenomena, memory for feelings. It is acquired as a result of experienced sensations, both positive and negative, which are associated with events that occurred in the past.
Slide 8
Emotional memory is extremely necessary in any form of creativity and art, especially for actors who experience repeated feelings while playing. They achieve truthfulness only if they are able to feel familiar sensations from life experience on stage.
Slide 9
K.S. Stanislavsky wrote: “Since you are able to turn pale and blush at the mere memory of what you have experienced, since you are afraid to think about a misfortune experienced long ago, you have a memory for feeling, or emotional memory.”
Slide 10
Some say it’s a burden of memory, others say it’s luggage, but for actors memory is a piggy bank. We extract from it the necessary rarities to remember the brightest rain in life or the first kiss, and these values are intended for our viewers!
Slide 11
Little actors have a small past, and they live more in the present and the future. Therefore, it is important to use exercises to develop emotional memory in acting lessons.
Slide 12
1. “Remember the objects” About 10 small objects are laid out on a chair in front of the children: a key, a shell, a coin, a hairpin, a badge, a pencil, a ring, a pebble, a lid, a Kinder Surprise figurine. While I count to 10, children watch and remember the objects. I cover them with a napkin and offer to tell someone alone everything that I remember. Let's find out who remembered more.
Slide 13
2. “Describe the picture” I show the children a large-format illustration so that they can take a good look. Illustrations with a lot of nice details are important. The children must remember both the whole picture (how to photograph it) and as many details as possible, while I count to 10. I remove the picture and ask them to list what was depicted.
Slide 14
3. “What color am I?” In a semicircle, children take turns answering the question: what color am I?, everyone remembers who painted themselves with what color. I ask someone to name all the colors.
Slide 15
4. Remember the smell of: - mother’s perfume, - fried chicken, - smoked sausage, - kebabs, - lilac, jasmine, - white cloud, rainbow, - favorite cartoon.
Slide 16
5. “Film of Visions” We look at a picture or illustration with the children, discuss what is depicted, whether there are main characters, what time of day, year. We close the picture and compose a collective story based on this picture. Each child adds one phrase to the story.
Slide 17
6. “Magic basin” We sit in a semicircle, and I tell the children: “Now I will give out magic basins to everyone (I take an imaginary mountain of basins and distribute them, explaining), they are invisible, but as soon as you say the magic “if”, they will be filled with everything whatever you want, for example – raspberries! We smell it as if it were a fresh raspberry, put it in our mouth, chew it, remembering the taste. I say: “Whoever felt the real taste of raspberries, well done!” The children, of course, will say: “Me! And me too!" “And now the basin will be filled with strawberry jam!” We hook it with our finger and try it (not by licking our fingers, but by playing with it). - And now honey! – Dad’s (or grandfather’s) cologne! - Frogs! At the end, breaking stereotypes, I ask: “What do you think a sunny bunny tastes like? What about tickling and kindness?
Slide 18
Scientists tell us about different types of memory. Some people have a better developed visual memory, some have an auditory memory, some have a sharp memory of taste sensations, and some can distinguish velvet from velor, guipure from lace, chiffon from crepe de Chine by touch. People of creative professions have excellent figurative memory. Muscle-motor memory is also important for actors: the text is better remembered in mise-en-scène. But all types of memory lead to emotions. Therefore, we instill a love of observing their various sensations in children to enrich their creative process.
Slide 19
Play! Develop! Create!
