Taking photos can limit the ability to remember

The psychology experts at Fairfield University (USA) have provided very interesting advice, that is to want to engrave the image into memory, not depend on the camera, because photography can limit the ability Our memorization of the object is seen.

Usually, we like to "press" to record memorable moments when traveling or visiting. So researcher Linda Henkel wanted to find out how photography affected people's ability to remember, through two different tests.

Photo: iStockphoto

In the first experiment, 27 students were asked to observe 30 paintings, sculptures, jewelry and ceramics at Bellarmine Art Museum. A group was instructed to read the name, look at the work for 20 seconds, then take a picture, while the other group only looked at the work for 30 seconds without taking a picture. The next day, the participants were asked to write the names of the works they remembered and pointed out which ones they had recorded.

Next, people were given a list of 30 works to show which ones were seen, photographed and which ones were not included in the works. In addition, they answer the questionnaire about the details of the works and visualize the objects they may have seen or did not see. As a result, Henkel found that participants who took part in identifying and memorizing details of the works they had photographed were inferior to works that they only observed with their eyes.

The second experiment allowed 46 students to take more time to take photos, in addition to 25 seconds of observing the works. Some of them were asked to enlarge special parts of the object. The next day, the participants were checked for memory. As a result, photographers do not remember much about what they have recorded, while the act of enlarging the details of the previous object helps participants remember the whole object accurately. Henkel researcher explains that enlarging parts of an object not only helps you pay attention to objects but also thinks about it.

Explaining the results of the two experiments, Henkel argued that taking photos made people only focus on shooting but ignored what they were seeing. In contrast, enlarging parts of an object attracts the attention of the eyes and the brain overall, thereby better remembering.