How Forgetting Helps Us Focus on What Matters.

Why Errors, Amnesia, and Confabulated Memories are Necessary for an Elastic Mind

In his new book "Why We Remember", neuroscientist Charan Ranganath delves into the complexities of human memory, challenging conventional wisdom. A professor at the University of California, Davis, for over three decades, Ranganath has researched how our brains recall, remember, and forget. His work reveals that many of the flaws in our memory—such as forgetfulness and false recollections—are, in fact, essential for cognitive flexibility and survival.

Memory: More than Just an Archive of the Past

Memory constitutes more than merely a collection of past incidents. It is a continuous process that alters how we see ourselves, and everything that is around us.

"Memory is much, much more than an archive of the past, it is the prism through which we see ourselves, others, and the world," according to Ranganath.

This perspective changes our concept of memory from being a mere reflection of history to a strong tool for navigating and adapting to the present.

The Power of "Error-Driven Learning":

One of the concepts that Ranganath focuses on is "error-driven learning," which means that making mistakes is essential to effective learning. He explains that memories are formed through neural connections, which can vary in strength. Some connections are stronger, while others are weaker and less effective. Recalling memories often highlight these weaknesses, allowing the brain to adjust and strengthen the correct connections. This is where error-driven learning becomes valuable: by challenging ourselves to recall information, we expose the weaknesses in our memory, giving the brain a chance to optimize it.

Active learning techniques, such as navigating a terrain or acting out in a play, help us deal with our memories differently than passive reviewing. Error-driven processes, Ranganath posits, are one of the components that make this process so much more effective for learning the material because they fine-tune recall.

Survival by Forgetting:

We do get annoyed sometimes when people forget things, but Ranganath postulates that it is necessary to keep cognitive resources preserved. He likens forgetting to the act of decluttering a home: "If we didn't forget anything, we'd be hoarding memories, and you'd never be able to find what you want when you want it." For example, there is no need to remember the exact layout of a hotel room or every face you encounter on the street. The forgetting of irrelevant information allows the brain to focus on what is relevant so that we do not get overwhelmed by unnecessary information.

Age-Related Memory Loss: Not a Decline, but a Change in Focus

Many of us suffer from memory loss as we become older. However, Ranganath contends that the issue is not that we lose the ability to develop new memories, but rather that we become more distracted.

The influx of irrelevant information over time crowds out the memories we wish to retain. The challenge, then, is not to fight forgetfulness but to better focus on the information that truly matters.

Memory Strategies: Specificity, Vividness, and Rehearsal

According to Ranganath, the following are strategies that can help improve the quality of memory retention, which are particularly helpful as we age:

1. Distinctiveness: The more unique an experience or the information is, the more likely it is to be remembered. Concentrating precisely on sensory elements such as sounds, sights, and feelings enhances memory vividness and recall ability

2. Organization: Associating meanings helps create meaningful groups that are better at the organization. The technique known as "memory palace" involves connecting new knowledge to what already exists, therefore forming an orderly mental geography useful for recalling it.

3. Cues: Memories can be retrieved by some external cue. According to Ranganath, making such cues intentionally is likely to be useful for the resurfacing of memories. As an example, the thought process of walking out to the door to take out the trash can work as a cue to remind you to do the actual thing when you're actually at the door.

The Role of False Memories and the Influence of "Schemas":

Memory is not always true. Occasionally, misinformation creeps into a memory, altering the original experience. Ranganath says we rely on "schemas"—mental frameworks that enable us to process new information based on what we already know. Where schemas are helpful for efficiently retrieving routine events such as going to the bank, they can also introduce incorrect facts. Memories also change and evolve, which can blur the line between what happened and what we imagine.

Memory as a Collaborative Process:

Memory is not a solitary experience but rather a shared one. When we discuss our memories with others, we influence each other's recollections. For instance, retelling a tale to a friend can change the way we remember it, making it funny or adding more details that are sometimes wrong according to the listener. Thus, memory is also a collaborative process — our memories are entangled with other people's memories creating collective memories that belong only partially to us.

Personal Observations Regarding Memory:

Ranganath's research has influenced his approach to memory. The process of writing his book motivated him to be more attentive to diet and exercise with the hope that he could retain his memory in old age. His efforts show the practical implications of his work: keeping our brains healthy helps to optimize the performance of our memories and keeps our minds sharp.

Imperfection and Flexibility:

This leads Charan Ranganath to urge us to challenge the way we look at our thoughts regarding memory rather than taking the imperfections in memory—forgetfulness and false memories—on their faces as defects and taking them to be the characteristics that have the benefit of flexibility. Using such an approach can improve how to make the best of one's mind by utilizing this aspect of our brains' adaptability.

Source: BBC