Focusing one’s attention on the act of processing and absorbing information can actually make remembering easier, say scientists at University College London. Their findings were reported in the journal Science.
Using MRI to evaluate brain activity, they discovered that the brain cannot learn information when attention is indirect. Participants in the study showed excellent ability to recall information they had concentrated on, but were unable to recall information they had not paid attention to, even if they had been looking right at it. For the brain to successfully process information and form memories, focused attention is necessary.
New tools for assessing and training attentional skills are needed for a variety of applications, from children and adults with ADD or ADHD to persons with acquired brain injury (ABI).
Compliments of Practical Memory Institute
