The Secret Lives of Memories

Subjectively, our memories can feel like polaroids of our lives. We snap them casually and frequently, toss them in a drawer with the others, and take them out — if we can find them among the others in the pile — as needed. Recent neuroscience research, however, reveals a more complex reality. Chantel Prat, professor in the UW Department of Psychology, and Andrea Stocco, associate professor in the UW Department of Psychology, will outline how our memories have complex, hidden lives and that much can happen to them without our conscious awareness. Discover how our memories change as we age and are compromised by disease. Learn how you can leverage what we know about memory to maximize learning and growth opportunities during your life. This video was originally published on June 10, 2024 as part of the Brain Health Learning Network, a program for adult learners interested in neuroscience, brain health, mental health, and healthy aging.