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Quirks of Memory

A Retrieval System Roundup

Memory
A New Mystery Surrounding the Tip of the Tongue State

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Have you ever felt like a word was so close to access that you knew some of its attributes as the word continued to elude you? The recall of its attributes may have been illusory.

Have you ever felt like a word was so close to access that you knew some of its attributes as the word continued to elude you? The recall of its attributes may have been illusory.

Sleep
Why Sleep Can Facilitate Human Innovation

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on May 15, 2018

Have you ever felt that insight came to you in a dream? From where do innovative ideas come? New research helps explain why the old adage "sleep on it" may be true.

Have you ever felt that insight came to you in a dream? From where do innovative ideas come? New research helps explain why the old adage "sleep on it" may be true.

Memory
Déjà Vu Linked to Feelings of Prediction

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on March 6, 2018

Have you ever had deja vu? Did you have the strange feeling that you knew what was coming next? New research suggests this may be a common experience.

Have you ever had deja vu? Did you have the strange feeling that you knew what was coming next? New research suggests this may be a common experience.

Person trying to think of something
Bias
How a Word on the Tip of Your Tongue Can Cloud Your Judgment

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on February 3, 2015

Do you ever feel as if a word is on the tip of your tongue, just out of reach of access? It turns out that such tip-of-the-tongue experiences can lead to bias in decision-making.

Do you ever feel as if a word is on the tip of your tongue, just out of reach of access? It turns out that such tip-of-the-tongue experiences can lead to bias in decision-making.

Memory
How Zaps to the Brain Can Improve Memory

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on September 8, 2014

Researchers strategically stimulated certain brain regions thought to be involved in human memory. Using functional neuroimaging, they were able to determine that there was increased connectivity among regions involved in the stimulation, and that participants who showed greater increases in connectivity from stimulation also showed greater memory enhancement.

Researchers strategically stimulated certain brain regions thought to be involved in human memory. Using functional neuroimaging, they were able to determine that there was increased connectivity among regions involved in the stimulation, and that participants who showed greater increases in connectivity from stimulation also showed greater memory enhancement.

Sleep
Can Unwanted Memories Be Undone?

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on January 20, 2014

Recent research suggests that presenting reminders of traumatic memories during sleep may help to diminish them.

Recent research suggests that presenting reminders of traumatic memories during sleep may help to diminish them.

Education
How to Become a Super-Learner with Standard Apps

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on October 3, 2013

Determining which things do versus do not help learning is not intuitive. Research has shown that there is a disconnect between what people feel helps their learning and what actually does. But understanding and believing the research on what helps learning is only half the battle: Implementing these techniques in daily life is the other. Here are some simple suggestions.

Determining which things do versus do not help learning is not intuitive. Research has shown that there is a disconnect between what people feel helps their learning and what actually does. But understanding and believing the research on what helps learning is only half the battle: Implementing these techniques in daily life is the other. Here are some simple suggestions.

Sleep
Wait, Have I Dreamt This Before? How Is That Possible?

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on June 25, 2013

Have you ever experienced a situation that you thought was a new experience, except you seem to remember having dreamt about it before? There may be a logical explanation.

Have you ever experienced a situation that you thought was a new experience, except you seem to remember having dreamt about it before? There may be a logical explanation.

Sleep
Developing a Superior Memory by Cuing Memories During Sleep

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on March 21, 2013

Research shows that you can strengthen earlier-formed memories by playing sounds during sleep that were associated with experiences you had while you were awake. New apps may make it possible for anyone to strategically cue memories during the critical phase of sleep in order to enhance memory, be it for memorization of facts and information or for performance training.

Research shows that you can strengthen earlier-formed memories by playing sounds during sleep that were associated with experiences you had while you were awake. New apps may make it possible for anyone to strategically cue memories during the critical phase of sleep in order to enhance memory, be it for memorization of facts and information or for performance training.

Memory
The Danger in Probing Memory in the Spirit of Self-Discovery

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on February 26, 2013

Probing memory for the purpose of self-discovery does not come without risk. The risks make it important to know beforehand what is involved in any form of self-improvement before beginning, from workshops to training seminars to weekend retreats.

Probing memory for the purpose of self-discovery does not come without risk. The risks make it important to know beforehand what is involved in any form of self-improvement before beginning, from workshops to training seminars to weekend retreats.

Memory
People with Extraordinary Autobiographical Memory

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on January 9, 2013

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is a very rare condition marked by an extraordinary ability to recall one’s past experiences. Give them a date and a year, and people with HSAM can tell you exactly what they were doing on that day and what day of the week it was. What makes the brains of people with HSAM different from the rest of us?

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is a very rare condition marked by an extraordinary ability to recall one’s past experiences. Give them a date and a year, and people with HSAM can tell you exactly what they were doing on that day and what day of the week it was. What makes the brains of people with HSAM different from the rest of us?

Grief
Why Holidays Can Trigger Grief-Related Memories

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on November 28, 2012

The holidays are often particularly difficult for those who have experienced a loss. Though there are many possible reasons for this, one reason may be the unique memory triggers that that the holiday season carries with it.

The holidays are often particularly difficult for those who have experienced a loss. Though there are many possible reasons for this, one reason may be the unique memory triggers that that the holiday season carries with it.

Memory
Why Deja vu Can Create an Illusion of Precognition

Anne M. Cleary Ph.D. on October 23, 2012

People often insist with great confidence that their experiences of déjà vu have been accompanied by a sense of what will happen next. It feels to them like a so-called precognition or an ability to see into the future. Is there an explanation for this illusion that is rooted in memory?

People often insist with great confidence that their experiences of déjà vu have been accompanied by a sense of what will happen next. It feels to them like a so-called precognition or an ability to see into the future. Is there an explanation for this illusion that is rooted in memory?