Why do we remember certain things but forget others?

Question

Is this an evolutionary mechanism? Why do we hold on strongly to some memories but let other others drift away?

Answer 1

Ive heard that when we sleep were like organising our memory the things we want to keep and those that would be thrown out but i think that if its something that had really striken us being bad or good is one which would never be thrown out.I think we remember the things we want to remember and choose to forget others.

Answer 2

Pretty much everything that goes on in the brain is directly or indirectly something to do with "survival" When we think back into our memories, we usually find that we remember mostly the pleasant things... the things that made us feel good. The brain, protectively lessens the impact of the "bad stuff" by either making us forget it altogether, or, over time, dulling it down. UNLESS something bad happened that was soooo important to our future survival, that it remains with us as a clear memory, perhaps "hidden in an archive file somewhere, so that it doesn't exactly dominate our lives, but it is instantly retrievable if anything happens that the brain decides to bring to the forefront and hit us over the head with a reminder.

The stronger the event has on our conscious or unconscious memory (good or bad) the stronger it is likely to get "hardwired" into place Many people wonder why older folks can describe in the clearest detail things out of the past, and yet they can't remember what they had for breakfast, or something you told them yesterday. The longer that memory has been "in there" the more it has become "cemented" into place with all the details. We get older, and unless our whole lives we have been engaged in some kind of work or occupation that requires a great deal of brainwork, the brain becomes less and less efficient in capturing and holding things That is why we sometimes hear experts in this field advising that we keep our brains well occupied... learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, generally challenging it, so that it doesn't go rusty on us.

Answer 3

suggestions is the shop place it somewhat is saved via the help of senses.suggestions is alike a vedio tape.The intensity of the writing varies in accordance to the stories of the particular factor by the senses. happy and worrying stories are the two deeply written issues. This additionally is going to subconscious suggestions after it sluggish. while the circumstances returned comes it's going to be remembered.

Answer 4

Because some things have more of an impact than others ...

Answer 5

the brain can actually remember everything... but theres 2 types of memory.. short term and long term....the brain has a filter and we can choose wat to remmeber what to forget....