Learn the theories about why forgetting occurs, including the influence of factors like time, interference, and context A normal degree of forgetting is a core element of memory, allowing people to dispense with information for which they no longer have much use We also share how forgetting is measured.
Forgetting Curve Psychology
Forgetting information from short term memory (stm) can be explained using the theories of trace decay and displacement
Forgetting from long term memory (ltm) can be explained using the theories of interference, retrieval failure and lack of consolidation.
The ability to forget helps us prioritize, think better, make decisions, and be more creative Normal forgetting, in balance with memory, gives us the mental flexibility to grasp abstract concepts from a morass of stored information, allowing us to see the forest through the trees. Forgetting is a universal human experience, so woven into our lives that we accept it as inevitable But in the late 19th century, one man became obsessed with the mechanics of this mental erosion.
Forgetting in our day to day lives may feel annoying or, as we get older, a little frightening Neurologist charan ranganath, author of why we remember, talks about the science of memory To understand forgetting and how to combat it, we must explore its causes through the lens of neuroscience and psychology This article delves into the scientific reasons why people forget and how to minimize forgetting.
