List makers give themselves a reason to forget
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PEOPLE WHO constantly remind themselves to make a phone call or invite someone to dinner are more likely to forget what they wanted to say or buy all the right food than those who take a more relaxed approach to everyday life.
New research has shown that trying to remember facts or tasks by saying them over and over again blocks related memories and induces forgetfulness. The findings show that students who cram for exams or ask colleagues to quiz them before the start will forget vital information for the duration of the test.
Neil Macrae, professor of experimental psychology at Bristol University and author of the report, said: "In anxious situations, such as exams, people employ a range of methods to help them remember. However, although the logic of repeating facts over and over again may seem flawless, this attempt at cramming information into your brain blocks other information temporarily."
For memory to function effectively, the mind has to be able to deal with competing related information. The research, in the latest issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, involved 128 students.
In one experiment they sat a mock geography exam. They were presented with 20 facts about two fictitious islands. The group was divided into two, with one half receiving "cramming" cards to remind them about half of the facts.
When the whole group was tested, those who had crammed could recall more of the latest data given to them, but performed four times as badly on recalling all 20 facts. Psychologists believe these findings have important implications for people trying to forget traumatic memories.
Professor Macrae said: "The victim of abuse will hold both negative and positive memories of the perpetrator. It is likely that the victim will be motivated only to retrieve the good memories not caring to dwell on material that is disturbing. Constant retrieval can serve a valuable function of locking unwanted recollections in memory."
Leading article, Review, page 3
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments