What number do you get when you add one and one? You know the answer almost without thinking. Now, can you remember exactly when you learned that? Chances are you can't. This is because the brain stores memories in one of two ways. The first way is the way that you remember the answer to one plus one. The second way the brain stores memories is the emotional memory. Memories that have signifigance in some way to you, such as your first day of school, are emotional memories.

Emotional memories are treated in a different way then factual (declarative) memories. One obvious difference is that we are aware that we remember it, not like declarative memories where the information is stored without conscious knowledge of it until we need to recall it. Besides that, a different part of the brain is used. The hippocampus (yes, it is named so because it looks like a hippopotamus ;-), is the part of the brain that creates emotional memories.

Not all of the exact functions of this part of the brain are known. Many believe that this part of the brain is used to create emotional memories and permanisize them when the time comes. In some people where this part of the brain is damaged, amnesia can occur. Usually, these people can remember how to do normal functions such as walking and writing. They can usually remember important events in their lives up to two years before the damage occured to their hippocampus. They function normally and can learn new skills, but they can't gain any new memories.

This important to know for many reasons. Emotional memories are typically stronger memories than factual memories. Using this, you can learn more efficiently. If you learn about something and make an emotional association, you will have a deeper understanding and probably remember it for longer. This is why it's better to research things that you are interested in and have meaning to you.

Do animals have emotion? Where did human emotions evolve from?
How are emotions created?
What role do emotions play in memory?
What is instinct and how is it important?
What is emotional intelligence

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The hippocampus is responsible for memories and also for remembering faces.
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