Advancements in brain science have really helped us understand how memory works. This has given us evidence that both supports and challenges what we thought we knew about memory. By combining brain science with the study of how we think, we get a better picture of how memory functions.

Important Discoveries in Brain Science:

1. Brain Scanning Tools: Using tools like functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) lets scientists see how the brain works when we remember things or learn new info. These studies show that a part of the brain called the hippocampus lights up a lot when we form memories. In fact, more than 90% of people show activity in this area when doing memory tasks.

2. Different Types of Memory: Brain science helps us understand two main types of memory:

   • Declarative (or explicit) memory: This is the memory we can talk about and describe, like facts and events.
   • Non-declarative (or implicit) memory: This includes skills and habits that we do without thinking, like riding a bike. The medial temporal lobe, which includes the hippocampus, is super important for declarative memory. On the other hand, the basal ganglia mostly helps with non-declarative memory. Damage to the hippocampus is linked to about 50% of cases of anterograde amnesia, which makes it a key part of memory.

3. Memory Strengthening: Research shows that when we sleep, our brains don’t just turn off; they keep working on our memories. This process is called consolidation. Around 70% of brain activity during REM sleep is about going over experiences from the day, which helps make our memories stronger.

Interesting Facts:

• Brain Changes: Studies suggest that about 80% of people see changes in their brains when learning new information, which helps with remembering.
• Memory Limits: A famous idea called Miller's Law says that the average person can hold about 7 (plus or minus 2) chunks of information in their short-term memory. This idea links back to how our brains process information.

Connecting Brain Science and Thinking Models:

New models of memory, like the Working Memory Model by Baddeley and Hitch, are now considering what we know from brain science. This helps us understand better how different parts of the brain help with thinking and memory. Brain research helps improve these models and shows that to really get how memory works, we must also look at the biology behind it.

In summary, progress in brain science is changing how we view memory in psychology. It highlights the importance of bringing together knowledge from both fields to make our understanding of memory even better.