Have you ever
walked into a room with some purpose in mind, only to completely forget what
that purpose was once you arrived? Of course you have. Especially those readers of Rambles who are in my age group.
It turns out the
doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre
Dame du Lac, a Catholic research university located just north of the city of South Bend, in Indiana, United States, have discovered what causes it. The cause, it seems, is simply passing through a doorway. This triggers what's known as an
‘event boundary’ in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from
the next. Your brain files away the
thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new
locale.
"Now what was I thinking before I walked through that door???"
Go back to the
previous room and you will remember.
It's not ageing,
it's the damn door! Thank goodness for
studies like this.
On the
same subject I got a leaflet from the GP the other day. It's all about
what to do if you are afraid you might be developing Alzheimer's. Unfortunately I have forgotten where I put it.
And while we are thinking about doors -
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Why don’t I get anything done in this house?
ReplyDeleteReading this post on doors and brains I decide to remove all the doors in our house. Except the one to the toilet because, well, you know. As I descend the stairs I do not have to go through any doors. I get a little distracted by Rommel, the cat, who is sitting on the coffee table looking straight at me while she knows she’s not supposed to sit there. But I had my eye on the price and, after removing the cat from the table, continue to walk downstairs to the garage. This is where we keep our tools. I walk through the door to the garage and look around. In amazement. What am I doing here?
The moral of this story is never go in the garage (and cross your legs so you can keep out of the loo for as long as possible).
DeletePassing through a doorway...that is an interesting thought really, that your brain is preparing itself for something new.
ReplyDeleteBring on the doorways!
I know I've read about that doorway research before. I think I may even have blogged about it (many doors ago). Anyway between my bedroom and my study I pass through four doorways (leading to/from kitchen, hall, living room, study), which explains a lot!
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge relief to know that. Thank goodness for an open plan living area - reduces the number of times I have to forget things!
ReplyDeleteWhew, I knew there had to be a better answer to the forgetting problem than my brain going bonkers! I've been the idiot with the door pulling on many occasions!
ReplyDeleteI think we've all been that idiot but what I've never solved is the problem of what face to put on when it happens to me. Do I blush, do I toss my head in a gesture of 'tut', or do I try to change my pull to a push without anyone noticing and pretend that I had simply had an intentional momentary pause in my progress? Perhaps I could try to look as though I was simply ensuring that I didn't forget what I was thinking about as I passed through.
DeleteGosh, another project to work on...take off all the doors in my home...thanks CJ!!
ReplyDeleteAh, South Bend, Indiana. I used to pass South Bend quite often as it's on the way to the Big Windy, and Mad City just beyond. When you get to South Bend, hook back up North and you'll find Saint Joe, Michigan. That's where all the millionaires had their mansions back in the bad old days. They'd take a late lunch on Friday, get into the boat and high ball it across the lake to Saint Joe where they'd spend the weekend. Then it was back to work via boat on Monday morning.
ReplyDeleteHOW many times has that happened? Too many to mention without severe embarrassment!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the knowledge that it's the damned door! Sheeesh!
Between my bedroom and the study there are 5 doors. It explains a lot. There is no hope but I feel marginally more re-assured.
ReplyDeleteHappens all the time. I did read about this.
ReplyDelete