Khaberni - In a common phenomenon that causes embarrassment for many, a report published by "alarabiya.net" citing Global English Editing, elaborated on the psychological explanations for forgetting people's names despite knowing them well, attributing this to factors related to brain function and not merely "weak memory".
The following are the eight scientific reasons behind this phenomenon:
1. Encoding Failure
Forgetting is not always due to a lack of memory, but to something called "encoding failure"; during the first encounter, the brain is busy with multiple tasks such as shaking hands and assessing appearance, which leads to not storing the name effectively in long-term memory amidst this rush.
2. Distraction
The brain fails to pick up the name if the person is experiencing mental drift or is busy with other tasks during the conversation, as the human mind is not inherently equipped to multitask efficiently at the same time.
3. The Baker paradox
This phenomenon explains why it's easier to remember someone's profession (such as a baker) compared to their name; a profession is linked with mental and visual connections (bread, oven), whereas names are abstract information that do not carry the same amount of connections, making them more difficult to remember.
4. Repeat Usage
Memory works on a basic principle called "repeat usage"; thus, names that are repeatedly mentioned (like parents' names) are easier to remember, while the brain tends to forget information not used regularly, such as the name of a person recently met.
5. Emotional Effects
Emotions play an important role in anchoring information; feeling happy and relaxed enhances the ability to remember names. Also, people who evoke strong emotions (either positive or negative) often have their names better engraved in the memory.
6. Age Progression Effect
As one ages, mental energy levels decline, making the process of remembering names require more effort than before, though this does not necessarily mean inevitable forgetting.
7. The Difference Between Faces and Names
The human mind is biologically equipped to recognize faces due to visual cues, while names are abstract information that do not have direct visual connections, making them harder to retain.
8. Retrieval Failure
Often, the name is already stored in memory, but the brain faces a hurdle in recalling it when needed due to a lack of appropriate "signals" or failure to solidify the name through psychological repetition.
