Psychology Group Project: Memory Paper

Group Project: Memory

Don Tjader

This project was really good for me—thank you for assigning this type of project. I have made friends with the girls: Nadia, Emma, and Sarah; and I will never forget our experience together, and hope we stay in touch for the rest of our lives. The entire time spent together in friendship and laughing and fun, and yet, the project was really hard work. I hope everybody who watches the video gets something out of it.

So, before the projects were passed out to the class for us to decide what we wanted to work on, I decided to sign up for the memory project, over the three other options, because I memorize parts of the Bible, and I thought this project could help me out in that way. Probably the single biggest fact that I learned about memory in this project is that, simply put, more oxygen in the brain increases memory. The best way to increase oxygen supplies to the brain, that I could instantly start doing more of, is by exercising. This little fact has motived me to jog every morning, and/or, do the work out of the day on www.crossfit.com, more consistently recently. And so since then, I have noticed my Bible memorization has increased, and not only that, but I've noticed increased focus for work and other chores of life. It's easier to wake up in the morning, I'm excited to get outside in this freezing cold, and, work up a sweat! I have so much energy it takes me longer to wind down for bed time at night! (That could also be because I have a stricter bedtime now too—sleeping increases memory also!) So not only is oxygen important for memory, but for a vast amount of complimentary elements going on inside our psychological makeup.

My part of the group was to present the biology modules. So, the first experiment that inspired me in the text was to be a mad scientist, like the tests done by Princeton scientists. These scientists genetically altered mouse, they named, “Doogie,” which they were able to scientifically prove they could increase mice memory and learning, by adding the NMDA neurotransmitter--I thought that was the most amazing thing! I instantly knew I wanted to create a B.F. Skinner like maze, and be an Einstein look-a-like scientist, and push my self to be as outrageous as possible. All the Einstein wigs were sold out (even on the internet). So I actually made that hideous thing on my head (that you saw in the video), from pillow fluff from Hobby Lobby, glued to a plastic Ziplock bag. That homemade wig made me more nervous to be in class on presentation day, then a freshman on his first day of Public Speech class!

I drew the big brain chart with the main elements, of where memory is stored in the brain, and realized how powerful our brains really are. I liked the Karl Lashley experiments, where he removed parts of the little mice brain pieces, and found out that mice still remembered. Lashley was a pioneer for later scientists to discover that our memory is stored all through out everywhere in our amazing brains! Another inspiration is the humanitarian ethics that somebody might raise over animal testing, this inspired me to be as un-humanitarian as possible, and yet no mice were hurt in my crazy “experiments,” due to cheap camera tricks.

The last, and awe inspiring knowledge I took away from our project is from studying our cerebral cortex. This part of the brain is the most unbelievably complex entity ever. I can't think of anything that could possibly come close to the CC in the physical world and be so small. Not only is “higher intelligence” stored in such a small space, but it is chock full of limitless storage space, continual adapting to environment, and natural defense mechanisms to protect ourself and others.

This knowledge has encouraged me to take better care of myself by eating more healthy, exercising more routinely; and also, the project has pushed me to be more openly social to class mates, my tendency is to be shy and reserved; and last but not least, I have even felt my faith increase. I will never forget this project, and I have gained a wealth of knowledge about myself through this project. I thank you, and my three new friends, for all of us sharing this experience together!

Sincerely,

Don Tjader