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How memories form and how we lose them - Catharine Young

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Think back to a really vivid memory. Got it? Now try to remember what you had for lunch three weeks ago. That second memory probably isn’t as strong—but why not? Why do we remember some things, and not others? And why do memories eventually fade? Catharine Young gives the basics on memory and memory loss.

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You look up a friends phone number, however when you call the number, the line is busy. When you start to dial the number again at a later time, you realize you no longer remember it. This experience probably occurred because the phone number was only temporarily stored in your:

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Catharine Young
  • Animator Patrick Smith
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen

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