The scientists analyzed this problem that afflicted everyone to do not remember what someone we know is called.
The human brain presents particularities in information processing. Selective memory operates with specific criteria to store data. Own names represent a particular challenge for our cognitive system. This feature explains why we frequently forget people’s names.
Cognitive psychology studied this phenomenon for decades. Scientific research showed that the oblivion of names does not necessarily indicate a cognitive failure. The process rather reflects the way in which our brain organizes and prioritizes information. Own names lack significant semantic load, which makes retention difficult.
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Why do names usually forget
Human memory processes different types of information differently. Own names present unique characteristics that make them more difficult to remember. Unlike concepts with concrete meaning, The names lack mental associations that facilitate their retention.
The Baker/Baker paradox experiment illustrates this phenomenon. The researchers showed the same image to two groups with different instructions. A group best remembered information when associated with a profession. This result showed that memory best retains semantic load concepts. Own names, lacking intrinsic meaning, are more difficult to fix memory.
The meaning of forgetting people’s names
Psychologists Deborah Burke and Donald Mackay developed a theory about this phenomenon. His research revealed that Own names have a weaker connection between their phonological form and semantic content. This feature explains why we forget the names more easily.
Human memory prioritizes information with meaning or emotional relevance. The proper names, being arbitrary labels, do not easily fit into these categories. Only when a person becomes a significant part of our environment, his name acquires greater weight in our memory.
There are strategies to improve the memory of names. Associate the name with an image, rhyme or distinctive feature of the person can help. Repeating the name during conversation reinforces its storage. These techniques take advantage of the principle that more brain connections increase the probability of retention.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
