I've heard two explanations, but both appear to be flawed; the event is too traumatic to remember and you can't remember any event that happens prior to learning to speak. Any other ideas?
2006-12-12 07:27:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
At the time of birth, your brain is very very new and has dedicated its existence to its own growing, helping your body grow in utero, and, at birth, what new activities they have to do (sucking, crying, startle reflex). A newborn's brain is very unilinear--focused on what has to be done to live and grow. The capacity for memory takes months to develop, and long-term memory takes even longer, which is why you don't remember your first year of life.
2006-12-12 07:37:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most people's first memory happens between 2 and 5 - and it is usually very intense (very sad or angry or happy moment). I think it is this way because the brain is not fully developed yet. Frankly, I think it is brilliant planning. I don't think I would want to remember that journey and I think many parents are glad that they get a couple years of bungling with the new experience before someone will remember every single thing they didn't like us doing.
Peace!
2006-12-12 15:38:19 · answer #2 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because our experiences are retained through the use of language and familiar paradigms. As newborns we have 0 expectations and no knowledge of communication. For the most part very young children are driven by instinct. The brain hasn't yet developed to a point where it can think abstractly. For these reasons when we develop the utility of abstract thought and begin to apply this (in language) we start to form memories.
2006-12-12 15:37:23 · answer #3 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No reference. the brain needs a reference to remember things. Your brain is basically a blank at birth, so it has no idea what's going on. the memory is probably distributed across your entire brain, lost in the many details it now contains.
2006-12-12 15:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have also heard that its too traumatic so your mind dosent let you remember. Just like the mother cant remember the pain of childbirth after the baby is born.
2006-12-12 15:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by Stephanie D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it was too long ago?
2006-12-12 15:29:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Maybe YOU can't, but I sure CAN!
2006-12-12 15:32:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋