The inability to remember the name of someone you just met is most likely the result of:
A. retrieval failure
B. transience
C. misattribution
D. encoding failure
Answer (2)
The most likely reason for not remembering someone's name upon first meeting them is D. encoding failure , which occurs when information is not adequately processed for storage in memory. This can happen due to distractions or lack of focus during the introduction. It’s important to pay attention to names to encode them properly for future recall.
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The inability to remember the name of someone you just met is most likely the result of encoding failure.
When you are introduced to a new person and you fail to remember their name shortly afterward, it is often because the information never made it into long-term memory in the first place. This happens because of an encoding failure, where the information was not adequately processed to be stored in memory.
Here's a breakdown of the options and why encoding failure is most applicable:
Retrieval Failure - This occurs when information is stored in the memory but cannot be accessed. In this case, the information was likely never stored , so retrieval failure doesn’t apply.
Transience - This refers to the decay of memory over time. Since the inability to remember the name occurs almost immediately, rather than over time, transience is not the cause.
Misattribution - This involves the correct retrieval of information for the wrong source. Misattribution is more about confusing where information came from, not failing to remember it initially.
Encoding Failure - This is when information does not enter into memory, typically because the brain did not focus enough on the information, or it was not deemed significant enough at the moment to store.
In social situations, people often focus on various stimuli, such as the social setting or thinking about what to say next, which may result in the name not being encoded. To improve this, one can practice active listening and repeat the name soon after hearing it.
