Google Effects on Memory - Article Example

Google Effects on Memory Sparrow, B. et al. . Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at our Fingertip. Science, 776-778.CritiqueThe purpose of this study is clearly stated, and it is to determine whether the availability and accessibility to databases and search engines have become the principal transactive source of memory in itself. This is important because people are becoming more and more dependent on technology for information, and thus, memory. The theory of this study is whether once information is accessed by a person, it is easier to remember where the information is stored than the information itself.

The authors include a well organized and systematic review of literature in this article. For instance, they start by introducing information about how a long-time relationship makes people typically develop a transactive memory, which is discussed in the introduction part. Regarding the conclusion and the summary, the authors review literature that confirms vast information available regarding the issue, and also acknowledging the fact that the negative impacts are still under debate. Nevertheless, the literature review was distributed, and did not come mostly from the primary sources.

The research question is, has the internet become a primary source of transactive memory where information is collectively stored outside us? Another research question is, do we think about flags or immediately think to go online to find out? The research questions correlates with the purpose of the study. The hypothesis of this study is that people will forget information that they know is externally available, but remember information that they know is not available externally. This matches the purpose of the study because it proves reliance on external sources of information, rather than memory.

As a result, it is easier to remember where information is stored than the information itself. Reference Sparrow, B. et al.(2011). Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at our Fingertip. Science, 776-778.