A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory - Essay Example

Section/# A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory Whereas the memory is a complex process that each and every human being possesses, the fact of the matter is that it cannot succinctly be described in general terms. Rather, understanding he unique ways in which different types of memory and memory loss relates to the individual is a fundamental step in attempting to grasp a further understanding of the way in which memory is governed and integrated within the human being. As a function of such an analysis, this author will seek to analyze Daniel Schacter’s The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers as a means of drawing inference from the discussion of these seven distinct types of memory loss. The first of these which Schacter introduces to the reader is that which is termed transient memory loss; or the type of memory loss that relates to a particular memory fading over a period of time. In this particular type of memory loss, the subject is able to recall a great deal more with relation to recent events than with regards to those that took place a long while ago. As the author notes, this particular type of memory loss is especially related to episodic memory in the fact that each and every time a particular episode is recalled it is, re-written, as it were; thereby altering the memory and making it more difficult to recall within the future (Renk et al, 2007). This type of memory loss most specifically affects the hippocampus. The second sin of memory, as the author dubs these failings, is that of absent mindedness. This is perhaps the most widely discussed and well known of the memory loss issues as it relates to attention span and issues with the memory interface. This type of memory loss most intimately affects the short term memory and can of course be exhibited in situations such as forgetting where one placed the remote control, leaving one’s keys inside the car, or forgetting about important dates or appointments. This generally is understood to take place as a result of the failure of encoding and attention span as this process was taking place. Likewise, the third sin of memory which the author discusses is that of blocking. As the name implies, this occurs when the brain attempts to retrieve a given memory but is blocked and confused; ultimately referencing another memory instead. This is a unique issue in that it both involves short and long term memory. It is often exhibited in the form of having a thought or word on the tip of the tongue and then losing it based on the fact that the memory itself is covered by another which confuses the recollection process. This blocking, as the author indicates, can further be broken down into proactive or retroactive. Fourthly, the author discusses what is termed “misattribution”. This involves the relevant and correct recollection of a given memory, situation, or example; however, it is misattributed in the process and therefore is fundamentally flawed. This misattribution is perhaps the most dangers of all with respect to its moral and ethical implications within the legal system. As a function of misattribution, it is possible for an individual who witnessed a given crime to blame it on an innocent individual that their memory has incorrectly associated with the incident. This reveals a fundamental breakdown in the way in which long term memory functions. Fifthly the author mentions what he terms as suggestibility. This refers not to the way in which memories are encoded but rather to the ways in which they are consequently recalled. As a function of the recollection process, different encodings are placed into the memory each and every time; causing the situation to appear in a different manner than it would have in the original context (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2010). For instance, suggestibility is evidenced in a situation in which a person may see a crime being committed by a white male; however, after reading in the newspapers that a Hispanic male is considered as the main culprit, the individual “remembers” that the person they saw was indeed Hispanic. The sixth sin of memory, as the author states, is that of bias. This is obviously quite straightforward and expresses the general conception that remembrance of past events can be fundamentally altered by the way in which certain world views, moods, influences, interests, dislikes, and other biases are integrated. In this way, one can understand memory bias in the way that an adult could look back on an otherwise unhappy childhood and seek to maximize the good that they have been conditioned to believe has taken place; thereby casting a observational bias over the entire memory (Schacter, 2001). The final sin of memory which will herein be enumerated upon is the of memory persistence. This is especially related to those instances which are unpleasant to recall and continue to project themselves onto the individual at times in which they are not sought to be recalled. This of course relates to phobias, post traumatic stress disorders, and painful recollections of past improprieties. One can easily envision the way that such a situation can present itself to an individual who has suffered from rape or sexual abuse within their past. Although they may have come a long way and received a certain degree of helpful therapy which has allowed them to move on in a new and positive direction within their lives, the memory itself can still be very real and present to them and can rear itself at any time. As a function of understanding each of these different sins of the memory, the reader is able to integrate a far greater and more nuanced appreciation for the way in which memory plays a profound and lasting impact on the way that humanity interacts with reality. Due to the ultimate subjectivity of memory, the reader is made aware of the fact that any or all of the 7 fundamental sins can have a profound impact on both individual reality and the shared reality that the rest of society integrates with. References Seven common memory problems. (2011). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 28(5), 4-5. Renk, K., Donnelly, R., McKinney, C., & Baksh, E. (2007). Do Schacter’s Seven Sins of Memory apply to ratings of children’s emotional and behavioral functioning?. Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306. doi:10.1007/s10826-006-9086-1 Schacter, D. (2001). The seven sins of memory : how the mind forgets and remembers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Read More