10 Major Myths about Memory & Concentration

The following are the ten major myths about Memory & Concentration

Explanations about these myths are available in the E-book "Intent Focusing"

These ten myths about Memory and Concentration have been outlined here because people are made to believe they are true.
Unless we understand that these are myths, we become gullible to unscrupulous people who exploit our innocence or ignorance.
If you would like to know the proper explanations for these myths, you can refer to my e-book, “Intent Focusing”. 
However, I have given here the facts (as I have found out through my research), alongside each myth.
Hope this will be beneficial to you.

MYTH 1

Memory is a simple function

FACT 1

Memory is a complex process and not a function

Such a process is very intricate involving several areas of the brain like the medulla, cerebellum, limbic system, and the association areas of the cerebral cortex. There is a neural transmission from one region of the brain to another during information processing. At the same time, both chemical and physical changes occur in the brain. Until all the corresponding areas of the brain are activated, very little benefit can be derived from learning or studying.

MYTH 2

Forgetting is a problem

FACT 2

Forgetting is a symptom and not a problem

For example, a student cannot remember an answer to a question and an executive forgets an appointment. Though this is attributed to a lack of memory, the actual reason for such lapse is either emotional problems or lack of efficient learning, or both. Thus, forgetting is a symptom of an underlying problem. The problem may lie elsewhere as in the nervous system, learning difficulties, or emotional experiences.

MYTH 3

Recall is the best kind of Remembering

FACT 3

Redintegration is the best kind of Remembering and not the recall

When a small piece of information can summon a huge chunk of disorganized information, it is known as Redintegrative Memory. One word like 'accident' can invoke so many memories in us. Or the name of a historical figure can help us reintegrate so many pieces of information, learned and stored at different points in time. Recall is tougher than Recognition or Redintegration as a kind of remembering.

MYTH 4

Words facilitate memory

FACT 4

Imagery facilitates memory and not words

All words that the brain receives need to be converted to thoughts, ideas, and sounds and stored as imagery. Such imagery needs to be manipulated whenever new information is received. The stronger the imagery the better the memory. From a psychological perspective, episodic memory is always more beneficial than semantic memory.

MYTH 5

Passive reception of inputs enhances memory

FACT 5

Scanning for inputs enhances memory and not passive reception

We need to prepare ourselves before we receive information. Revising what we already know and questioning ourselves specifically will improve our searching skills. We should seek information rather than receive information.

MYTH 6

We must consciously make an effort to receive inputs

FACT 6

Subconscious information processing should be undertaken while receiving inputs and not conscious information processing

Whenever we read a paragraph or listen to a lecture, we feel that we can understand. Such feeling is due to conscious information processing and is detrimental to memory. Rather than reading words, we should try to get the message and meaning behind those words. The overall picture should emerge in our minds once we complete a paragraph or listen to a few sentences.

MYTH 7

Studying requires greater concentration than other types of work

FACT 7

Some types of work demand total concentration than studying, like driving a vehicle. 

For example, driving a vehicle, working on a machine, swimming, walking on a crowded street, singing, etc., need a far higher level of concentration than studying. Most of the other work requires constant attention and vigilance. Any distraction will lead to mistakes or in some cases disasters.

MYTH 8

Short-term memory is highly reliable

FACT 8

Long-term memory is everlasting and not Short-term memory

The capacity of short-term storage is very limited and needs to be repeated over and again to be sustained in memory. On the other hand, the long-term store is relatively permanent and its capacity is infinite. All it needs one to do is to rehearse (and not repeat) and manipulate existing information with new information and keep increasing the long-term store.

MYTH 9

Repetition helps us to remember

FACT 9

Rehearsal helps us to remember rather than repetition

Repetition is helpful only for rote memory. In all other types of memory, we should try to manipulate information or associate it with existing information. The best example of how repetition becomes redundant is that, despite repeatedly studying the same material for almost a year, the students do not remember much of what they studied.

MYTH 10

Memory is a voluntary process

FACT 10

Both memory and concentration are involuntary processes

Just like breathing, memory and concentration keep happening all the time in our life. We will not be able to do any activity if memory and concentration cease to function. However, this is the most misunderstood aspect where people think that we can control our memory and concentration. Similar to breathing, we can only control the amount of air we take in or take out! Stopping breathing may lead to dangerous consequences. We can only direct our attention and memory, but information processing is automatic.

SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT STUDYING

• If we read textbooks, then our learning will be better

• The more we study, the more we will score good marks

• What all we know we will be able to write in the examination

Goals for Students to achieve higher