Synopses & Reviews
A groundbreaking work by one of the world's foremost psychologists that delves into the complex behavior of memory.
In this fascinating study, Daniel L. Schacter explores instances of what we would consider memory failure—absent-mindedness, transience, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence—and suggests instead that these miscues are actually indications that memory is functioning as designed. Drawing from vivid scientific research and creative literature, as well as high-profile events in which memory has figured significantly (Bill Clinton's grand jury testimony, for instance), The Seven Sins of Memory provides a more nuanced understanding of how memory and the mind influence each other and shape our lives.
Synopsis
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK. A psychologist's "gripping and thought-provoking" look at how and why our brains sometimes fail us (Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works).
A groundbreaking work by one of the world's foremost memory experts, The Seven Sins of Memory offers the first framework that explains common memory vices -- and their surprising virtues.
In this fascinating study, Daniel L. Schacter explores instances of what we would consider memory failure -- absent-mindedness, transience, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence -- and suggests instead that these miscues are actually indications that memory is functioning as designed.
Drawing from fascinating scientific research and creative literature, as well as high-profile events in which memory has figured significantly (Bill Clinton's grand jury testimony, for instance), The Seven Sins of Memory provides a more nuanced understanding of how memory and the mind influence each other and shape our lives.
Winner of the American Psychological Association's William James Book Award
Synopsis
A groundbreaking work by one of the world's foremost memory experts, THE SEVEN SINS OF MEMORY offers the first framework that explains common memory vices -- and their surprising virtues. In this intriguing study, Daniel L. Schacter explores the memory miscues that occur in everyday life: absent-mindedness, transience, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Schacter illustrates these concepts with vivid examples -- case studies, literary excerpts, experimental evidence, and accounts of highly visible news events such as the O.J. Simpson verdict, Bill Clinton's grand jury testimony, and the search for the Oklahoma City bomber. He also delves into striking new scientific research, giving us a glimpse of the fascinating neurology of memory. Together, the stories and the scientific results provide a new look at our brains and at what we more generally think of as our minds.
Winner of the William James Book Award
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 230-257) and index.
About the Author
Daniel L. Schacter is chairman of the Psychology Department at Harvard University. He has previously written Searching for Memory, which received praise as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and one of Library Journal's Best Science and Technology Books of the Year. The book won the American Psychological Association's William James Book Award and received outstanding reviews in The New Yorker and Publishers Weekly. Schacter was the keynote speaker at the American Psychological Association's 2000 conference and has appeared on 20/20, NBC's Sunday Today, the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, and, with Alan Alda, on PBS's Scientific American Frontiers.
Table of Contents
The sin of transience -- The sin of absent-mindedness -- The sin of blocking -- The sin of misattribution -- The sin of suggestibility -- The sin of bias -- The sin of persistence -- The seven sins: vices or attributes?