CLASSMATE: C. W.

Two factor that can interfere with memory recall are attention and motivation. Interestingly, we learned last week that motivation, from an internal standpoint drives a person to act. Attention plays a very important role in memory recall because it is the brain’s way of interpreting something is significant enough to encode into our memory. Encoding is a step to creating new memories, usually what we perceive as an interest. Attention triggers our brain to biologically cause more neurons to fire more frequently which then increases our interest and the likelihood that the event is encoded as a memory (Human-Memory.net, 2018). This would explain why students who are more interested in a subject may do well in a class as opposed to students who are not interested or lack in attention. Attention can be disrupted by numerous things, for example arousal, fright, and chronic pain (Dick & Rashiq, 2007). Substance users and their interest in their euphoria or “high” could affect much attention they exhibit. Similarly, individuals who suffer from mental disorders. Depending on the disorder, for example someone with schizophrenia may have a hard time concentrating and paying attention at all. Khalaf-Beigi et al. (2012) conducted a study with music therapy on multiple groups of individuals with schizophrenia and found that the music therapy was effective in the maintenance of their attention. I feel the most effective way to address a client’s issue would be to thoroughly evaluate them; whether there is substance use or abuse, type of socio-economic status, habits (i.e. sleep), traumatic events, etc. I believe that finding the answers to these questions will better allow me to develop a treatment for the client’s problem.

References

Dick, B. & Rashiq, S. (2007). Disruption of Attention and Working Memory Traces in Individuals with Chronic Pain. Anesthesia and analgesia. 104. 1223-9, tables of contents. 10.1213/01.ane.0000263280.49786.f5.

Human Memory.net (2018). Memory Encoding. Retrieved on March 28, 2019 from http://www.human-memory.net/processes_encoding.html

Khalaf-Beigi, M., Akbar-Fahimi, M., Ashayeri, H., Dorood, N., & Doostdar, H. (2012). The Effect of Music on Attention in Schizophrenia. Majallah-i Taḥqīqāt-i ̒ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Zāhidān, (9), 8. Retrieved fromhttp://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.5cf2d2cd14b845608985fe7cfd64180a&site=eds-live&scope=site (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Terry, W.S. (2018). Learning & memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures. (5th ed.) United Kingdom: Routledge. ISBN-13: 978-1138645912, eISBN-13: 9781317224051