Why are we forgetful

Or maybe you know that it's there, but you just can't seem to find it. The inability to retrieve a memory is one of the most common causes of forgetting. So why are we often unable to retrieve information from memory? One possible explanation of retrieval failure is known as decay theory. According to this theory, a memory trace is created every time a new theory is formed. Decay theory suggests that over time, these memory traces begin to fade and disappear. One problem with this theory, however, is that research has demonstrated that even memories which have not been rehearsed or remembered are remarkably stable in long-term memory.

Research also suggests that the brain actively prunes memories that become unused, a process that is known as active forgetting. As memories accumulate, those that are not retrieved eventually become lost. Sometimes people forget due to a phenomenon known as interference. Some memories compete and interfere with other memories. When information is very similar to other information that was previously stored in memory, interference is more likely to occur.

There are two basic types of interference:. Sometimes the act of remembering something can lead to other things being forgotten. Research suggests that retrieving some information from memory can lead to retrieval-induced forgetting. This is particularly common when memory retrieval cues are very similar. While this causes forgetting, research also suggests that this type of forgetting can actually be adaptive. By forgetting one memory in favor of another, it reduces the chance of interference happening again in the future.

While interference can make it difficult to remember some things, there are things you can do to minimize its effects. Rehearsing new information is often the most effective approach. By essentially overlearning new things, it is less likely that old information will compete with new. Sometimes, losing information has less to do with forgetting and more to do with the fact that it never made it into long-term memory in the first place.

Encoding failures sometimes prevent information from entering long-term memory. In one classic experiment, researchers asked participants to identify the correct U. While people are familiar with this everyday object, they were surprisingly bad at being able to detect key details. The reason for this is that only details necessary for distinguishing pennies from other coins were encoded into your long-term memory.

Identifying a penny does not require knowing the exact image or words found on the coin. Because this information is not really needed, most people never memorize it and commit it to memory. Memories also tend to get simplified. While you might remember the overall gist of something, you are likely to forget many of the details. This is actually an adaptive function that allows you to efficiently store important things that you need to remember in the future.

Sometimes we may actively work to forget memories, especially those of traumatic or disturbing events or experiences. Painful memories can be upsetting and anxiety-provoking, so there are times we may desire to eliminate them. The two basic forms of motivated forgetting are suppression, which is a conscious form of forgetting, and repression, an unconscious form of forgetting. However, the concept of repressed memories is not universally accepted by all psychologists.

One of the problems with repressed memories is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to scientifically study whether or not a memory has been repressed.

Also note that mental activities such as rehearsal and remembering are important ways of strengthening memory, and memories of painful or traumatic life events are far less likely to be remembered, discussed, or rehearsed.

Forgetting painful memories and traumas may help people cope better. While these events might not be entirely forgotten, forgetting the vivid details can help blunt the difficult emotions that are attached to those memories and make them easier to live with. There are also a number of other factors that can play a role in why people forget. Other common causes of forgetfulness include:. If you are concerned about your forgetting or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

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Sign up for the newsletter Verge Deals Subscribe to get the best Verge-approved tech deals of the week. Stress and anxiety. Anything that makes it harder to concentrate and lock in new information and skills can lead to memory problems. Stress and anxiety fill the bill. Both can interfere with attention and block the formation of new memories or the retrieval of old ones. Common signs of depression include a stifling sadness, lack of drive, and lessening of pleasure in things you ordinarily enjoy.

Forgetfulness can also be a sign of depression—or a consequence of it. Something like getting more sleep, switching a medication, or a stress reduction program could get your memory back on track. Medications that may affect memory and possible substitutes.