14 DAY TRIAL // You know that awkward moment when you meet somebody and they tell you their name and you can't remember it for the life of you just a split second after they're done mumbling it?
Of course you do. It's the kind of thing that happens to all of us way more often than we're willing to admit to. The good news is that such memory hiccups are nothing to worry about.
On the contrary, it all boils down to how the human brain works. True, we overcome this fault in our neurons if we try hard enough, but then we have to ask ourselves if it's really worth the trouble.
The brain cares very little about names
As explained in the AsapSCIENCE video below, the human brain is hardwired to remember faces. It also finds other details about people, such as what they do for a living, quite interesting and therefore makes sure to store them.
Names, on the other hand, don't matter all that much. What's more, they are arbitrary and don't strike an echo with us. Consequently, the brain doesn't even bother to process this bit of information for safekeeping.
“If your brain can't make connections between multiple pieces of information, particularly things you already know or feel familiar with, then you're more likely to forget that information,” the AsapSCIENCE video explains.
Deep down, we are all a wee self-centered
One other reason we have trouble remembering the names of people we've just met is because, while they're busy revealing this detail about themselves, we're not really listening but rather focusing on introducing ourselves.
Long story short, our brain kind of, sort of zones out, and instead of focusing on the person standing in front of us introducing themselves, starts practicing our own introductory routine.
In other words, we get caught up in our efforts to make a good impression and so forget that we should be paying attention to the person we're about to introduce ourselves to.
Of course, there's also the possibility that we don't remember people's names because, if we're meeting guys and gals we'll probably never see again, we just don't care enough to learn anything about them. Not even their name.
The good news is that, if you're mentally prepared to start remembering monikers, there are some tricks that can help you. Check them out in the AsapTHOUGHT video below.
