As previously mentioned, collective memory is created through the process of communication, by using the individual memory of every member in a group. This is because, even if the same event is witnessed by a group, every member of that group may have a different recollection and memory of that event. Each person in a group will have their memory, which is everybody’s own experiences and memories. By successfully communicating with and listening to each other, individual memories can be ordered in chronological order or an order of importance or relevance, to form a collective memory, which will have a significant effect on a community. However, as with many things within the human body, our memories are not perfect. There are many flaws within individual memory, which, therefore, means that collective memory cannot be infallible. Firstly, it is physically impossible to store all of the sensory information that our bodies receive every moment of the day in our brains, as there is simply too much of it. Therefore, the brain stores small bits of information that are considered to be of the highest relevance, reconstructing the rest of the detai
ls around those smaller pieces when it is required (when you need to recall the memory). The human memory is split into two parts: the short-term, and the long-term memory. Within short-term memory, things are stored temporarily. The main limitations of short-term memory are limited capacity (only about 7 items can be stored at a time) and there is limited duration (storage is very fragile and information can be lost with distraction or passage of time). Secondly, long-term memory is the more permanent part of the human memory, where memories and information that we want to preserve for longer are kept. Memory can also be categorized into two types: explicit memory (which is the conscious, intentional recollection of factual information, previous experiences, and concepts) and implicit memory (which does not require conscious thought. It allows you to do things by rote). This memory is not always easy to verbalize, since it flows effortlessly in our actions. It is the explicit memory that is affected by memory loss, and other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These conditions can severely affect the ability to recall memories.