How Our Brains Create "False Memories" and the Importance of Believing in Self-Improvement

Основні поняття

Believing in your ability to improve can help your brain overcome the tendency to create "false memories" and other cognitive biases.

Анотація

This article discusses the "false memory" effect, which describes how it's possible for people to invent and "remember" memories if asked leading questions. The author provides an example of a study where researchers convinced participants that they had played a prank on a first-grade teacher with toy slime, even though this never actually happened.

The article then connects this concept to the broader theme of cognitive biases, which the author has been exploring in a series of newsletters. Specifically, the author notes that humans have a tendency to filter out information overload, turn random signals into meaningful stories, and make quick decisions based on those stories rather than more thoughtful ones.

The "false memory" effect is presented as the fourth in a series of "conundrums" related to these cognitive biases. The author explains that our brains make shortcuts to deal with the overwhelming amount of information we encounter, which can lead to inaccurate memories. However, the author suggests that these inaccuracies are actually adaptive, as they allow us to focus on the broader themes that are more important for our long-term survival.

Despite the frustration of realizing we've remembered things incorrectly, the author proposes that there is hope. Specifically, the author suggests that if we believe we can improve and overcome our biases, our brains will work to support this belief, ultimately leading to better self-understanding.

The article concludes with a "lightning round" of recent Medium stories, including a tip on how to declutter by upcycling old books, as well as a quiz related to the cognitive biases discussed throughout the series.

Статистика

"In one study, researchers convinced participants that they had played a prank on a first-grade teacher with toy slime, even though this never actually happened."

Цитати

"Believe that you can improve, and your brain will do the rest."

Ключові висновки, отримані з

Believe you can improve, and your brain will do the rest

by The Medium N... о blog.medium.com 08-30-2024

https://blog.medium.com/believe-you-can-improve-and-your-brain-will-do-the-rest-5ced9daf3d45