There are a few ways that we as people will forget certain things. The best question is to ask why do we forget? Well there are four explanations. The first one is retrieval failure. Retrieval failure may stem from one of the forgetting theories called decay theory. This basically explains that if one does not spend practice or need the use of the information, it soon will decay and disappear from memory. The second way to forget is interference. This basically means that another memory or piece of information is bothering with your learning or recall. There are specifically two types, proactive interference and retroactive interference. Proactive means it is difficult to remember a new memory because something that you learned before is bother you. Retroactive means the opposite in which a new memory is blocking the way for an old memory to be remembered. The third time is a basic one. Sometimes it is a failure to store information that stops someone from remembering. The final type of forgetting is motivated forgetting. This speaks of suppression which is a conscious form and repressed is a unconscious form. It could be it is a traumatic event that makes this person motivated to forget the memory that haunts them.
Memories can be helpful or damaging. This little article gave me the basic information necessary to complete my curiosity, but if I were more interested I would need more information. Knowing the ways to forget can help us change reverse the effects and may be make sure we remember.
