2017年12月26日 星期二

Forgetful? It might actually make you smarter, study says



Reading questions for this article:

 

1.       How does the brain's ability to forget specific details while retaining the bigger picture contribute to adaptability?

 

2.       In today's information-rich society, what type of information does the article suggest our brains no longer need to store?


The study challenges the notion that a perfect memory is essential for intelligence. Forgetting things is not a weakness but rather a sign of intelligence. According to the researchers, the main purpose of memory is to enhance intelligent decision-making by retaining important information while letting go of irrelevant details.

 

Researchers Paul Frankland and Blake Richards from the University of Toronto, suggests that forgetting things is not only normal but can actually make us smarter. The researchers propose that the primary goal of memory is not to retain the most accurate information over time, but rather to enhance intelligent decision-making by holding onto important information and letting go of irrelevant details.

 

The article suggests that, in today's information-rich society, our brains don't need to store certain types of information, such as phone numbers and easily searchable facts, thanks to the availability of technology like smartphones and search engines. This frees up our brain's capacity to focus on storing memories that are more relevant and meaningful for decision-making.