The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers

Schacter approaches his task like a teacher. He focuses on seven problems with memory that have undoubtedly been experienced by the average reader:

1. Transience - Our memories weaken over time.
2. Absent-mindedness - We don't focus on what we need to remember.
3. Blocking - It's in our memory somewhere, but we can't find it.
4. Misattribution - We are wrong about where we learned something.
5. Suggestibility - Other people can "plant" false memories in us.
6. Bias - We rewrite the past with the pen of present beliefs.
7. Persistence - We keep remembering things we'd like to forget.

For each of these problems, he gives understandable examples. In the final chapter, the problems are discussed as a group, and the author states the opinion that show more these problems are a small price to pay for a memory capability that performs extraordinarily well.

In the early part of the book, there are references to specific functions of the various lobes of the brain and how those lobes may affect the processes of memory. As the discussion moves on to the rest of the “sins,” there are fewer references to objective scientific data, and more references to hypotheses and activity testing of various types. Professor Schacter does a thorough job of referencing the works of other psychologists, and summarizing their opinions.

An informative book, intended for non-technical people who want an overview of the field and a basic understanding of academic progress. show less

This book talks about seven memory miscues that irritate people and argues that they indicate a memory that is working well. It is well written and contains a bibliography and other source notes if you are interested in following the matter further. It also contains tips on how to deal with the mistakes that your memory might make, which also works pretty nice.

An interesting and readable book, but I don't know that it was all that applicable to me or my life. I read it because it sounded intriguing, but I have no idea what I got out of it. It would probably be more helpful to me if I were involved with psychology or neuroscience. I kind of get that a part of my brain could lead me to forget where I left my keys, but I know I'll still end up searching for them when I need to leave my apartment!

Slightly tedious discussion of the memory faults of
Transience
Absent Mindedness
Blocking
Misattribution
Suggestibility
Bias
Persistence & Depression
This final chapter is a discussion of whether these faults are vices or virtues.