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Memory Discussion

Could you please do an "objective" conversational response on how this person has done on their discussion on their discussion on memory? Your expert objective response should contribute thoughtful, unique and interesting information to add to their discussion.

This is their discussion:

I chose to write about "Why We Forget." Forgetting can occur for many reasons. "Forgetting is adaptive. We need to forget some things if we wish to remember efficiently. I found this topic very interesting. There are many different theories on forgetting. The decay theory occurs when information in one's memory eventually disappears if it is not addressed once in a while. The replacement theory discusses that a new memory can replace that of an old memory. The interference theory is when similar information interferes with one another in either the storing of information or retrieval of information.
When we need to remember something, we rely on retrieval cues (tidbits of information that help us find the information that we are seeking). Cue dependent forgetting is when one lacks retrieval cues leading to the inability to remember. Someone can give you details about an event which will help trigger a memory that you think that you have forgotten. Remembering may also be easier when you are in the same place as you were when the event occurred.

I was most interested in the readings about "mood-congruent memory" and amnesia. "Mood-congruent memory is the tendency to remember experiences that are consistent with one's current mood and overlook or forget experiences that are not. For example, one is feeling sad; they are more likely to recall unhappy memories in which they feel as if they are justifying their feelings. This allows them to keep their unhappy feelings at a constant or fall deeper into their "depressed" feelings.

As we all know, amnesia is the loss of one's memory. Amnesia is most commonly caused by some sort of brain injury or disease. However, there are some cases in which one might forget an event to escape certain feelings (embarrassment, shock, disappointment); this is called psychogenic amnesia. Psychogenic amnesia usually occurs directly after an event and usually ends suddenly. Traumatic amnesia, allegedly involves the burying of traumatic events for a long period of time. When the memory returns it is often extremely accurate and is usually immune to the effects of the decay theory. Sigmund Freud argued that the mind defends itself from unwelcome and upsetting memories through the repression.

Solution Preview

This individual does a very good job in their discussion concerning memory, largely due to the fact that they discuss many of the theories regarding why we forget certain ...

Solution Summary

This solution provides an analysis of an individual's discussion about memory.