And study carried out by researchers of the Rice Universityin the United States, analyzes the complexity of the memory human and the factors that determine why we remember certain events and we forget others.
The authors Fernanda Morales-Calvagraduate student in psychological sciences, and Stephanie Leal, associate professor in the same area, compiled and examined previous research to create an analysis details of those who called the “three Ws” of memory: what, where and when people remember.
They postulated that memory is not a phenomenon that suits everyone equally. What is memorable to one person may be totally forgettable to another.depending on your particular cognitive background and priorities.
The work, titled “Tell me why: The missing W in the what, where and when of episodic memory”is part of the magazine Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neurosciencefocused on individual differences in the modulation of memories.
The study addresses how emotional significance, personal relevance, and individual differences shape memory retention. Unlike experimental research, this review, according to experts, focuses on bringing together existing findings to advance the understanding of episodic memory and answer the central question of why we remember
The authors identified that memories are influenced by factors such as emotional contenthe personal meaningthe repetition and the attention. For example, events that are deeply emotionally charged or details that receive active attention are more likely to be remembered.
The dimension spacewhich addresses where events occur, It also plays a crucial role in memory. For the researchers, new environments demand greater attention, which encourages longer-lasting memories compared to familiar or routine places.
He moment When an event happens also influences what people remember. The authors explain that the ordering of events and the recognition of transitions between them are fundamental elements to structure memories. Specific events tend to be divided into distinct episodes, which makes them easier to retain, always based on research.
In addition to exploring these three dimensions, the researchers highlight the importance of individual circumstances, such as cultural and cognitive differences, in the way people remember. According to the study, these individual variations They have significant implications both in the clinical and everyday settings. Morales-Calva and Leal noted that many professional memory assessments rely on standardized tests developed in specific cultural contexts, which can lead to biased results when applied to diverse populations. Therefore, they highlighted the need to more personalized approaches to evaluate memory and its particularities.
The work highlights that understanding why certain events are remembered and others forgotten can influence the development of tools and strategies aimed at improving quality of life, especially in an aging global population. “This review highlights the importance of considering subjectivity and context in memory research,” Leal said. “By taking these variables into account, we can develop more precise diagnostic tools and effective interventions,” he added.
The authors argue that incorporating individual differences in experimental designs is essential to bridge the gaps between laboratory findings and applications in everyday life. Research suggests that specific factors that influence memory could be used to design interventions for conditions such as dementia and cognitive decline, as well as to improve understanding of the human experience in general.
This approach, according to the study, seeks, among other things, to translate this knowledge into practical tools and strategies that respond to the needs of diverse populations. The complexity of memory, according to the authors, requires an analysis that considers both individual particularities and the contextual and emotional factors that shape what we remember.
