Having trouble remembering names?
While most of us can easily recognise someone’s face or job, recalling a person’s name is a much tougher task. You’re not the only one facing this dilemma. It’s more than just having a bad memory. In fact, ASAP Science has possible explanations why it’s hard to remember the names of the people you meet.
Here are some of the reasons why we forget someone’s name as explained by ASAP Science.
The Baker Effect
Also known as the Baker/baker paradox, this theory explains why details about the person such as his job stay embedded in your head, while the name slips away.
Psychologists explain that names have no mental links while other details have a strong net association attached to them. Thus, names, which are completely arbitrary, are easily forgotten.
The Next in Line Effect
When meeting someone new, we tend to focus more on introducing ourselves rather than getting to know the other person. This phenomenon is called the “The Next in Line effect”. Instead of focusing on listening to the other person, our brain tends to focus on disseminating information about ourselves.
Not Interested
According to scientists, a person who is not interested in meeting someone new or forming a new relationship is more likely to forget names.
“ Simply put, the more interest you have in something, the more likely your brain is to make new connections. As a result, people who enjoy making new relationships are tuned in and focused and barely feel as if their memory is being used or tested,” the video explains.
Same same
Since many people carry the same names, common names become even more meaningless for the brain to remember, according to an article published by The Atlantic.
.
