Taking Too Many Photographs is Bad For Your Memory
Dec 26, 2013 22:22
A new study from Fairfield University says taking photos could affect your memory, and not in a good way.
Researchers observed two groups of museum attendees: one group snapped photos of the art they saw, while the rest refrained from taking pictures. A day later, the ones who took photos couldn't recall as many details about the art as those who kept their cameras away.
And it makes sense: “By conveniently relying on your camera, you don’t engage in cognitive processing,” says study author Linda Henkel, Ph.D. “You are telling your brain, ‘The camera’s got it!’ And you don’t have to pay attention anymore.” Henkel calls this the “photo-taking impairment effect.”
It doesn't mean you should stop taking photographs altogether—just that not every event needs to be snapped up, especially for your Instagram scrapbook. “If you treat your photos as a trophy to show other people, you aren’t creating an enduring memory because you aren’t fully experiencing the moment,” says Henkel.
But there is a solution, and it sounds almost unbelievable. You have to zoom in. “When you zoom, you are giving more focused attention on the object,” which in turn helps you remember that thing, says Henkel. You can also discuss your snapshots with others. “Reliving the experience and sharing [your photos] in a meaningful way will help you remember,” she says.
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