Where memory is stored

Where we store memory for names

When meeting someone new, the first thing you normally do when meeting them is exchange names. However, this doesn’t mean that you are going to remember their name from that moment, forever. You will hear a lot of people say that they remember seeing that person before, but cannot remember their name. And quite often, a lot of us get embarrassed about forgetting a name, especially of someone you just met and exchanged names with.

When we learn a new name, this sits in our short-term memory after hearing it, but soon after the conversation continues, it might be gone from your memory. For a person you have met a lot of times, you remember their name. This is because their name will go through a process we call consolidation. Consolidation involves moving a short-term memory into long-term memory. This process is something used when studying at school to remember information and definitions, or even when learning how to perform a task in the right order.

So how can we try and remember someone’s name straight away? You might also be thinking about all the parties you will be going to in a few weeks time, and all the new people you will be meeting, and all the new names you will have to try and remember!

We will look at some tricks you can have up your sleeve in my post next time! Stay tuned!