The spelling of the word "engram" is pronounced as [ˈɛn.ɡræm]. The word is often used in psychology and refers to a hypothetical change in an organism brought about by repeated stimuli. The phonetic transcription for the word explains that the "en-" sound is pronounced as "ɛn" and the "gr-" sound is pronounced as "ɡr." The "-am" in "engram" is pronounced as "æm". Correctly spelling and pronouncing "engram" is essential for clear communication within the field of psychology.
An engram is a fundamental concept in the field of neuroscience and psychology that refers to the hypothetical physical or biochemical change in the brain that occurs as a result of learning or experiencing an event. Coined by the prominent psychologist Richard Semon in 1904, an engram represents the memory trace or encoding of a specific experience.
In the context of brain function and memory formation, an engram is understood as the neural substrate responsible for the storage and retrieval of memories. It is believed to be the biological mechanism through which information is encoded and consolidated into long-term memory. This neural representation of a memory is thought to involve changes in the strength or connectivity of synaptic connections between neurons.
While the exact nature and location of engrams in the brain remain a topic of ongoing research and debate, it is widely accepted that they are formed through the process of synaptic plasticity. This mechanism involves the modification of existing synapses or the formation of new synapses, which ultimately leads to changes in the structure and function of neural circuits.
In summary, an engram refers to the hypothetical physical or biochemical changes in the brain that encode and store memories. It represents the memory trace or neural substrate that underlies the formation and retrieval of memories, and it is an essential concept for understanding the complex processes involved in learning and memory.
See mnemic hypothesis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "engram" was coined in 1904 by the German scientologist Richard Semon. It is derived from the Greek words "en" meaning "in" or "within", and "gramma" meaning "something written" or "a record". So, the term "engram" can be understood as something that is written or recorded within. Semon used this term to describe the physical or molecular changes in the brain that occur when a memory is formed. Today, the term is commonly used in the field of cognitive psychology and neuroscience to refer to the hypothetical physical trace of a memory.