Sylvia Wynter's Dream

The Seven Sins of Memory

Daniel Schacter, professor of psychology at Harvard University proposed the ‘Seven Sins of Memory’ in his book The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers. In the book, Daniel Schacter explains the process in which the brain forgets, recollects and reconstructs memories.

These memory sins may lead to the creation of false memories. Let’s explore each of these memory sins!

Transience

Memories deteriorate over time!(Cunff, 2022). As explained in part one, we lose details of our memories as time goes on.

Absent-Mindedness

Absent-Mindedness is a state of mind in which a person is not concentrated on their external environment but instead, is preoccupied with their own thoughts, distracted or ‘zoned out'(Dean, 2023). This may cause forgetful behaviour and it is also known as ‘mind wondering’.

Blocking

Blocking is the temporary inability to access a memory(BetterHelp Editorial Team, 2023). It is believed that this happens when a memory interferes with the one that the person is trying to retrieve ( Cunff, 2022).

Misattribution

In a nutshell, misattribution is when one remembers a memory incorrectly. The memory could be completely made up or just misattributed to an incorrect time, place, or person ( Cunff, 2022). As stated in part one, an example of misattribution are dreams which people are unable to differentiate from reality.

Suggestibility

Leading questions or deception from others may lead to the creation of false memories( Cunff, 2022). This is a topic that is widely debated in the legal field, because questioning may lead to false confessions and memories.

Bias

Sometimes our beliefs, knowledge and emotions can influence our memories. Our feelings may change our memories to fit our narrative (Cunff, 2022). As said in part one, this is why there may be three sides to every story.

Persistence

Persistence is when the brain “does not let go off a memory” (Cunff, 2022). Although this may seem like a good thing, in some instances this may lead to disorders ( BetterHelp Editiorial Team, 2023). When traumatic events are constantly replayed in the mind or hard to forget, this may lead to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), phobias, etc.

Bibliography

BetterHelp Editorial Team. (2023). What Are The Seven Sins Of Memory? Better Help.

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/memory/what-are-the-seven-sins-of-memory/

Cunff, A. (2022). The Seven Sins of Memory. Ness Labs.

Dean, J. (2023). Absent-Mindedness: Definition & Examples From Psychology. Psy Blog.