Why We Forget? The Essential Role of Forgetting for Our Memory

Have you ever felt frustrated about forgetting where you left your keys or a friend’s birthday? While forgetting seems like an annoying defect of our brain, what if I told you that forgetting is actually a vital function for our survival and mental functioning? In this article, we will explore why our brain needs to forget in order to remember better.

The Surprising Capacity of Human Memory

Our memory has an impressive theoretical capacity. Scientists estimate that we can store approximately 2.5 petabytes of information – equivalent to:

• 2.5 million gigabytes
• 3 million hours of video (about 340 years of continuous recording)
• If we consider neural connections as the basis of storage, we can theoretically store more memories than there are atoms in the universe

With this colossal capacity, it seems contradictory that we are so prone to forgetting information. But would total recall, like a computer, really be beneficial?

Why Forgetting is Essential for Remembering

Far from being a defect, forgetting is a crucial adaptive mechanism. The two main phenomena that explain this function are:

Interference: When Memories Compete with Each Other

Interference occurs when one memory hinders the recall of another. Think about the following scenario: you meet a person in the morning, but you meet three more people throughout the day. When you try to remember the name of the first person, you have difficulty because the more recent memories “interfere” with the recall.

If we remembered absolutely everything, the amount of interference would be overwhelming, making it almost impossible to access truly important information.

Deterioration: The Natural Filter of Memory

Deterioration is the process by which information fades if it is not consolidated as long-term memory. This process works as a natural filter that helps us to:

• Preserve the most relevant memories for our survival
• Avoid the accumulation of irrelevant data
• Reduce interference between memories

Practical example: We remember where there is a venomous snake, not all the stones we’ve seen in our lives. This allows us to quickly retrieve vital information without interference from irrelevant data.

How Does the Memory Process Work?

To better understand forgetting, we need to know how memories are formed. The basic memory model includes:

Short-term Memory (Working Memory)

This is our mental “workspace,” where:

1. Information from the senses is filtered by attention
2. Only the most important or noticeable elements are selected
3. Information can be used immediately or prepared for long-term storage

Long-term Memory

When information in working memory is considered important or relevant, it goes through a process of encoding for permanent storage. William James, a pioneer in psychology, poetically described this process in 1890:

“The stream of thought flows on; but most of its segments fall into the bottomless abyss of oblivion. Of some, no memory survives the instant of their passage.”

The Physiological Basis of Memory: What the Sea Slug Teaches Us

Neuropsychiatrist Eric Kandel, a Nobel Prize winner, used the sea slug to discover the physical mechanisms of memory formation, known as “engrams.” His discoveries revealed that:

Short-term Memory

• Formed when a synapse (connection between nerve cells) is temporarily strengthened
• The signal between two nerve cells is amplified for a short period

Long-term Memory

• Involves significant structural changes in synapses
• Results in the formation of new permanent synaptic connections

The Art of Forgetting to Remember Better

Forgetting, therefore, is not a failure, but an evolutionary adaptation that allows us to:

1. Filter irrelevant information
2. Prioritize memories important for our survival
3. Reduce interference between similar memories
4. Access crucial information more quickly

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information, the ability to forget is as important as the ability to remember.

How Can We Optimize Our Memory?

Now that we understand the importance of forgetting, how can we work in our favor to improve our memory?

• Spaced Repetition: Review important information at regular intervals
• Association: Connect new information to existing knowledge
• Mindfulness: Pay full attention to what you want to remember
• Contextualization: Create a rich context for your important memories
• Adequate Rest: Sleep is fundamental for memory consolidation

Conclusion: Celebrating Forgetting

The next time you forget where you left your keys, perhaps you can appreciate the fact that your brain is functioning exactly as it should – prioritizing more important information and discarding what it considers irrelevant.

Forgetting is not a defect, but a sophisticated feature that has evolved to help us navigate a complex world full of information. Forgetting is, paradoxically, an essential part of remembering.

Do you have difficulties with memory or special techniques for remembering important information? Share in the comments below your experiences and tips for improving memory in everyday life!

Reference

LEVY, Joel. History of Psychology Without the Boring Parts: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Human Behavior and Even Freud Couldn’t Explain. Editora Cultrix, 2016.