How Working Memory Serves Behaviour
Hello, curious minds!
I hope you’re all doing well and finding moments of focus in a world full of distractions.
This week, I’ve been diving into a fascinating paper by Van Ede & Nobre (2023), which explores the dynamic relationship between working memory and attention. Instead of seeing memory as a static information store, the authors argue that it’s an active and flexible system, constantly shaped by our attentional priorities.
Below, I break down the key insights from the paper and what they mean for how we think, learn, and act.
Memory as an Active Process
Most of us think of memory as a passive archive - we store information and retrieve it when needed. But Van Ede & Nobre propose a different model, one where memory is constantly interacting with our attention in real time.
🔹 Attention shapes what we remember – We don’t store everything equally. The brain prioritises information that is important to our current goals.
🔹 Memory is flexible, not fixed – Rather than recalling static images of the past, our brain reconstructs memories based on relevance.
🔹 Forgetting is strategic – Instead of being a failure of the brain, forgetting allows us to filter out distractions and keep only what’s useful.
This means that what we remember isn’t just about the past, but about what we need for the future.
The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
To illustrate this, we can look again at last week's Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve - a famous model that shows how quickly we forget new information if we don’t reinforce it.
📉 Without reinforcement, memory decays rapidly in the first few days.
🔁 Regular retrieval practice strengthens memories and helps us retain information long-term.
With thanks to Wikimedia Commons.
The key takeaway? If we want to remember something, we need to engage with it repeatedly, especially when it’s still fresh.
What This Means for Learning and Productivity
💡 Focus determines memory – If we’re distracted when learning something, we’re less likely to store it in memory. Deep focus is key!
📌 Memory adapts to what we need – Our brain naturally prioritises what’s useful in the moment, meaning context matters when trying to recall information.
📚 We should work with, not against, forgetting – Instead of worrying about forgetting, we should use techniques like spaced repetition to strengthen key memories.
In short, the relationship between attention and memory is a two-way street - what we remember is shaped by where we focus, and what we focus on is influenced by what we remember.
🎙️ Listen to the Discussion on the Podcast
Franck’s Five
Leaving space for you here!
1️⃣How might your environment be shaping what you pay attention to, and how does that impact what you end up acting on?
2️⃣How do your current habits either support or disrupt your ability to focus? And what small changes might shift that balance?
3️⃣What types of information do you find yourself remembering most easily? What does that reveal about your current priorities?
4️⃣When you forget something important, how do you usually respond? And what does that say about your relationship with mistakes or imperfection?
5️⃣What regular practices could you introduce to intentionally reinforce the memories that support your growth, goals and identity?
This paper reminds us that memory isn’t just about the past - it’s a tool for the future. How can we be more intentional about what we remember and why? Hit reply and let me know your thoughts!
Until next time, keep curious, keep exploring.
~ Franck
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