2024-11-12 14:00:00
Are you accused of only remembering what suits you? Well, rest assured: everyone has a selective memory. In addition, selective memory has a very important role since it allows us to sort and avoid saturation of our memory with unnecessary information.
Definition: what does it mean to have a selective memory?
The selective memory corresponds to the ability to remember certain information and events and not others.
This phenomenon is not pathological and is not the consequence of an illness. On the contrary, it is physiological: since memory is limited and cannot record the millions of stimuli perceived each day, only some of them are selected and recorded in long-term memory.
So we all have selective memory. Our memories are solely made up of information and events chosen either because they left an impression on us, or because we judge that they are of interest.
However, selective memory is different from one person to another: some have a selective memory that is more of an auditory nature, while other individuals retain visual representations better. Furthermore, selective memory involves a more or less conscious intentional choice whether or not to remember an event. Doctor Donia Mahjoub, neurologist.
Role: what is selective memory used for?
Selective memory allows you toavoid information saturation. It sorts and allows you to clean and get rid of:
Of the information and memories deemed useless. Of the too painful events.
It is possible not to remember an event that is too painful. In this case the memory is buried in order to preserve the psychological well-being of the subject. Dr. Donia Mahjoub, neurologist.
How does selective memory work?
THE areas of the brain involved in the selective memory process are the seahorse et le cortex.
The hippocampus, which does not store long-term memory memories, is something of a crossroads that serves many signaling pathways to other areas of the brain. Memories are thus preserved in the parietal cortex and the cortex temporal : this is the long-term memory.
An event (or information) is selected to be preserved over the long term according to certain parameters such as encoding, attention, emotions or even cognitive dissonance.
1. Encoding
L’encoding is the process that transforms an event or fact into a memory trace. Indeed, for an element to be stored in long-term memory, it must be in a memorizable form such as a sound, an image, words, numbers, etc.
You should know that the memory of events diminishes over time, even if they were intense. Events stored in our memory through encoding can be revived by reliving new situations providing the same emotions. Doctor Donia Mahjoub.
2. . attention
Another determining parameter: it is necessary that you pay attention to have an optimal memory of the event or information. Conversely, if you are not focusedthere is a risk that the item is only partially saved.
3. Emotions
It’s obvious, more an event affects youthe more likely you are to remember it and sometimes even in detail. On the contrary, the moments that make us “neither hot nor cold” are more easily forgotten.
4. La dissonance cognitive
The dissonance cognitive corresponds to the unpleasant emotions provided by the fact of being simultaneously confronted with information, behaviors or beliefs which concern us and which are incompatible with each other.
In this case, our unconscious performs complex gymnastics and manipulates information in order to free us from these feelings of discomfort. It is therefore selective memory that intervenes: the brain chooses to memorize certain elements rather than others to spare us discomfort and internal tensions.
Selective memory, an emotional memory
Selective memory is a emotional memory. Indeed, depending on the intensity and nature of the emotions, we can remember an event more or less well.
If negative emotions are heightened, it may not be remembered even though it is a significant moment. We then forget, through unconscious will, a bad moment, a memory that is too painful and/or violent. This defense mechanism is called dissociative amnesia or even denial. It remains to be seen whether it is truly preferable to ignore these life events or whether it would not be more beneficial to confront them in a psychotherapeutic context.
Sometimes it’s the opposite, the emotions are so pleasantthat we remember the smallest details of an event. In this case we are talking abouthypermnesia : we then perfectly remember an incredibly pleasant moment. We feel this moment “in our belly”.
Blocked emotions: why does my brain retain almost nothing?
If emotions are attenuated or even blocked, memory can also be. This is the case among depressed patients or who suffer frompsychotic disorders (and therefore attenuated emotions or “anhedonia”) who complain about their memory and who have difficulty recalling memories.
Selective memory, a question of psychology?
The ability to remember also depends on personality and psychology of each person. Indeed, low-sensitivity people who control their emotions mentally represent past and future events with fewer sensory and contextual details.
Likewise, some personality disorders can influence the storage of memories and exacerbate or not the selective nature of memory. For example, selective memory is sometimes considered a common trait of narcissistic perversion. Narcissistic perverts tend to intentionally omit certain information to present themselves in a favorable light. However, in this case, selective memory tends to be calculated and intentional.
Selective memory to free yourself from bad memories and trauma?
Recent work demonstrates that will would come into play in the selective nature of memory. That is, we might choose to forget or remember certain events rather than others.
This study measured brain activity in 22 patients equipped with electrodes implanted in the prefrontal cortex and/or hippocampus in order to analyze rhythmic brain activity. During the study, participants had to visualize a certain number of words, and either memorize them or forget them. The results show that the function of voluntary forgetting really exists: participants remember words they are supposed to forget less than words they are supposed to memorize.
The prefrontal cortex therefore exerts active control over memory processes.by triggering or not the passage of information from the hippocampus into cortical areas of long-term memory (temporal parietal cortex).
This work could therefore encourage the development of new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder for example, aiming to erase bad memories by non-invasive magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex.
Selective memory and Alzheimer’s disease: what is the link?
Typically, the Alzheimer’s diseaseis associated with a decline in episodic memory. Patients will complain of no longer remembering the events they experienced, the conversations they had, the things they did.
Selective memory is therefore also affected: it is not because an episode was significant and could be perfectly remembered in long-term memory that you will not be able to forget it in the event of a neurodegenerative disease. like Alzheimer’s disease, unfortunately.
However, people who have dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease may have selective amnesia regarding negative information or elements about their illness which can give rise to memory neglect. Dr. Donia Mahjoub, neurologist.
Selective memory loss: this has nothing to do with lacunar amnesia!
L’lacunar amnesia corresponds to a loss of memory concerning a certain period during a loss of consciousness, an epileptic attack, an amnesic stroke, etc. The other memories remain intact. Thus, lacunar amnesia and selective memory are very different concepts. Lacunar amnesia is a loss of memory that can be explained by physiological and even neurological causes. On the other hand, selective memory loss is explained by emotional and attentional factors: the event is forgotten because it is too trying or, on the contrary, uninteresting.
Sources
Interview with Dr. Donia Mahjoub, neurologist
1731469047
#Selective #memory #work
Emory, a double-edged sword?
While selective memory serves a protective function, allowing us to prioritize and focus on memories that are meaningful and important, it also has its downsides. For instance, the selective forgetting of traumatic experiences may lead to unresolved emotions or psychological issues. In some cases, individuals might not confront their past traumas, leading to a lack of closure and persistent emotional distress.
On the other hand, the ability to focus on positive experiences and pleasant memories can foster resilience and contribute to mental health. It highlights the adaptability of our memory system, which helps us navigate through life by emphasizing growth and positivity while downplaying less helpful or harmful experiences.
Research suggests that while we may not have complete control over what we remember or forget, understanding the mechanisms of selective memory can empower us to engage better with our experiences, potentially leading to more effective therapeutic interventions.
Ultimately, selective memory underscores the complexity of human cognition, where emotional experiences shape our memories, influence our behaviors, and impact our overall well-being.
