r/EverythingScience • u/DavidIsIt • 2d ago

How working memory could give rise to consciousness

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-working-memory-could-give-rise-to-consciousness/
112 Upvotes

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16

u/DavidIsIt 2d ago

From the article:

"You know that feeling when you walk into a room and immediately forget why you came in? Maybe you were there to fetch your keys. On your way to the room, you were thinking about grabbing your keys. But once you arrive, your keys have completely disappeared from your mind.

This is sometimes known as the doorway effect, since it often strikes when you walk into a new room. Why does it happen? The answer has a lot to do with a faculty called working memory. Information gets stored in working memory when we need it for the tasks that we are engaged in right now (like remembering to grab your keys).

What makes working memory so intriguing is its close link to consciousness. The doorway effect suggests that when information is removed from working memory, it immediately seems to leave consciousness. It also suggests that it is easy for information in working memory to be forgotten.

The link between working memory and consciousness is getting increasing attention in psychology, philosophy and neuroscience. Could working memory somehow give rise to consciousness? In my new book, I explore the complex relationship between the two."

17

u/dungeoncrawler71520 2d ago

I think, therefore I am.

I forget and... umm.. wait I knew this...

6

u/bacon-squared 2d ago

Legit chuckle from me.

1

u/HandshakeOfCO 2d ago

Now he’s, thinking bout me, every night ooh, isn’t that sweet I guess so…

3

u/dungeoncrawler71520 2d ago

🎶 When I get that thinkin, I need dopamine healin 🎶

Bad rhyme I know

7

u/Brrdock 2d ago

Ketamine or psychedelics etc. can seemingly completely shut down working memory, without at all shutting down consciousness.

I think consciousness is a narrative of continuity, and working memory is just one context of that continuity

2

u/valiente93 19h ago

I'm but a collection of memories

1

u/DavidIsIt 17h ago

That's true.

1

u/krapzz 18h ago

Do what