CHAPTER VII

MEMORY AND ITS IMPROVEMENT

We have been speaking of certain special and unusual cases of recall of past experience. They are significant for the psychology of memory, but for the affairs of every-day life the practical question is, How may one's own memory be made efficient? In answering this question we should constantly bear in mind that an efficient memory is selective. It does not reproduce past experiences impartially. Certain facts which we have observed, heard, or read are important for the matter in hand, and other things, however much they may bear on other questions, have no present significance. If one will notice the arguments and statements of others, one cannot fail to observe the devious mental wanderings from the point. George Meredith gives a good illustration in Evan Harrington. Evan, when horseback riding, discovered Polly Wheedle shivering under a bush in the rain:

"Bellowing against the thunder, Evan bade her throw back her garment and stand and give him her arms, that he might lift her on the horse behind him.

"There came a muffled answer, on a big sob, as it seemed. And as if heaven paused to hear, the storm was mute. "Could he have heard correctly? The words he fancied he had heard sobbed were:

"Evan stooped his shoulder, seized the soaked garment, and pulled it back, revealing the features of Polly Wheedle. "Oh, Mr. Harrington; oh, ain't I punished!' she whimpered.

'And what .have you been doing to be punished? What brought you here?' said Evan.

"Somebody drove me to Fallowfield to see my poor sister Susan,' returned Polly, half crying.

"Well, did he bring you here and leave you?'

"No; he wasn't true to his appointment the moment I wanted to go back; and I, to pay him off, I determined I'd walk it where he shouldn't overtake me, and on came the storm. . . . And my gown spoilt and such a bonnet!' "Who was the somebody?'

"He's a Mr. Nicholas Frim, sir.'

"Mr. Nicholas Frim will be very unhappy, I should think.'

"Yes, that's one comfort,' said Polly ruefully, drying her eyes.

"You look very pretty.'

"I can see myself a fright, like my Miss Rose did, making a face in the looking-glass when I was undressing her last night.'

"My Miss Rose-what was I going to tell? Oh !—my Miss Rose. You must know, Mr. Harrington, she's very fond of managing; I can see that, though I haven't known her long before she gave up short frocks; and she said to Mr. Laxley, who's going to marry her some day, "She didn't like my lady, the Countess, taking Mr. Harry to herself like that." I can't abear to speak his name, but I suppose he's not a bit more selfish than the rest of men. So Mr. Laxley said-just like the jealousy of men-they needn't talk of women! I'm sure nobody can tell what we have to put up with. We mustn't look out of this eye, or out of the other, but they're up and-oh, dear me! there's such a to-do as never was known-all for nothing!

"My good girl!' said Evan, recalling her to the subjectmatter with all the patience he could command.

"Where was I?' Polly travelled meditatively back. 'I do feel a little cold.""

Evidently, recalled thoughts-memory-need direction and guidance. What is it that guides? It is the thought about which we are conversing the central idea around which related memories should cluster. The material from which this selection is made comes, of course, from past experience; but experience is always varied. Every idea has been connected with many others. And it is here that the purpose of the moment plays its controlling part when it is kept rigorously in mind. The failure to keep to the point-to progress in one's thinking and talking—is commonly caused by carelessly losing the thread of conversation or thought.

Naturally, much depends upon the intensity of the impressions, and for deepening the impress, repetition, recency, vividness, and the number of associations focussing upon the idea or event that is to be remembered are important. Retention, after the impression has been made, is determined by the quality of brain-tissue. Consequently, any improvement here is produced indirectly. As in other mental matters the effect of hygienic living cannot be overestimated. A vigorous metabolism, by rapid elimination of the waste products caused by wear and tear, and by rebuilding the nervous structures, continually rejuvenates the tissues and keeps them "fit." The effect of this is appreciated when destruction of tissue exceeds construction, as when one becomes "worn out" from overwork, lack of exercise, or from temporary fatigue. The mind, and with it the memory, then refuse to work. The psychological significance of what has been said in earlier chapters about exercise, food, and fatigue is therefore obvious.

In the last analysis, however, we must accept our braintissue as it is and endeavor to make the most of it. After hygienic living, improvement of memory requires conform

ity to rules and principles that grow out of the memory process. The purpose of the experiments cited in this chapter is to discover some of the principles inherent in memory. But before discussing these investigations it may be well to mention, briefly, a few of the facts underlying retention and recall.

The fundamental psychological law of memory is, of course, based upon association of ideas, and the investigations of retention and recall are attempts to ascertain under what conditions associations are firmly established with the least expenditure of time and energy. Stated in its simplest psychological terms the law of association is, that if two ideas have been in the mind simultaneously or in immediate succession the recurrence of one of them tends to bring the other in its train. I meet a man, for example, whom I formerly knew quite well, but whose name I cannot remember. I must recall it, however, for a friend will join us soon to whom the man must be introduced, and I do not wish to admit that I have forgotten his name. My mind runs over the period of our former acquaintance. We were together in a certain town, we had several friends in common, whose names come back as the circumstances are recalled. Events long forgotten follow one another in more or less serial order; then, quite suddenly, perhaps, as I remember a little play in which we both participated, the desired name bursts upon me. The writer has been trying to describe a bit of personal experience. It was a long series of associations and several times the name seemed about to come, but still it eluded him. Finally, however, the right clew, the event with which the name was in closest association, was reached, and then it followed as a matter of course.

Neither the statement of the "law of association," however, nor the description of the process gives the reason for the succession of thoughts or for the recall of any given idea. For this explanation it is necessary to turn to the

nervous system. The connection between ideas rests, ultimately, upon a more fundamental connection between neurones, and upon increased permeability of the synapses joining these neurones. The law should, therefore, be stated in physiological terms, as follows: When two neurones have been active together or in immediate succession, the activity of one tends to excite the other to action. The synapse is the point of functional connection between neurones, and simultaneous or successive action of the two neurones decreases the resistance of their juncture. For this reason the excitation of one easily extends to the other. The change in the synapse, resulting from the passage of a nervous impulse from one neurone to another, is the physiological basis of association, as of habit. Association is much more complex than this so-called law implies, but it is not our present purpose to examine its more intricate manifestations. The important fact to observe here is that memory proceeds according to law and order.

There are, to be sure, cases in which memory seems to be independent of association. Ideas, at times, appear to come into the mind of their own accord. We are sometimes obsessed by a word, a tune, or a face. So far as we can discover such ideas are uncaused. There is, however, in the author's opinion, no reason for assuming that this perseverative tendency-the persistence of the activity of the cells of the cortex-violates the principle of association. It is probably due to hidden associations, to similarities or contrasts of which one is not fully conscious, or to old associations which have faded to obscurity. The ́fact that perseveration is especially noticeable when one is fatigued supports this view. In such a condition the older, more permanently established, associations would naturally obtrude. Associations are much more numerous and controlling than we are inclined to think. Suggest almost any topic, such as anarchist, trades-unions, or walking delegate, to a friend, and you will find that he has very