“Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering” with Dr. Scott Small
People aspire to have a better memory and to retain information effectively. However, there are instances when memory fails them. Not too long ago, both individuals and memory scientists believed that forgetfulness served no discernible purpose. Yet, recent research across diverse fields such as medicine, psychology, computer science, and neuroscience has revealed a different perspective.
It turns out that forgetting is not a flaw of the mind; rather, it serves a vital role. In fact, it contributes positively to people's lives by fostering creativity and benefiting their overall well-being. Forgetting clears the clutter from the mind, enabling better decision-making.
Forgetting appears to be an independent cognitive function, distinct from the processes governing memory retention.
As Schacter explains, the act of remembering and retrieving memories is a practical process, albeit not without its flaws. The memory system possesses inherent imperfections that people encounter daily. In his book, 'The Seven Sins of Memory,' Schacter identifies seven common memory failures: transience, absentmindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. He argues that these 'sins' should not be viewed as flaws in the memory system; instead, they are intrinsic features of memory.
Schacter further asserts that memory serves the needs of the present, and that current knowledge, beliefs, and emotions influence the recollection of the past. This function is orchestrated by the Default Brain Network, an intriguing system responsible for both remembering the past and imagining the future. It's a remarkable case of a single network managing two distinct processes.
The ability to forget plays a pivotal role in helping people prioritize, think more effectively, make decisions, and enhance their creativity. In the delicate balance between remembering and forgetting, mental flexibility emerges, allowing individuals to extract abstract concepts from their stored knowledge, ultimately enabling them to see the bigger picture.
Forgetting, far from being a hindrance, is a natural and beneficial aspect of human cognition.
