Psychology of Forgetting/Memory

[kookomula]

"All recent work on collective memory shows that there is
effectively no such thing: public memories are historically contingent. It also shows that forgetting is essential to the functioning of memory: [i]individuals and groups simply cannot function without forgetting most of what is presented them[/i]". Merriman, N (Manchester Museum).

Just settling down to write an essay, read this and began thinking about the psychology of memory.

Then found this book, The end of memory By Miroslav Volf on google books.

Nietzsche says, if not partly forgotten the past becomes "the gravedigger of the present". p161

Feels the complete opposite for me.

Will get on with essay now.

This is also interesting

Collective memory of political events By James W. Pennebaker, Darío Páez, Bernard Rimé

p8 Talking as a forgetting aid - Cognitive Organization

[scubadiver]

I found this book

Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cognitive-Dissonance-Progress-Psychology-Confe rence/dp/1557985650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242765854&sr=8-1


Contents

Preface

An Introduction to Cognitive Dissonance Theory and an Overview of Current Perspectives on the Theory
—Eddie Harmon-Jones and Judson Mills
I. Perspectives Employing the Original Version of the Theory

Improving the 1957 Version of Dissonance Theory
—Judson Mills
A Radical Point of View on Dissonance Theory
—Jean-Léon Beauvois and Robert-Vincent Joule
Toward an Understanding of the Motivation Underlying Dissonance Effects: Is the Production of Aversive Consequences Necessary?
—Eddie Harmon-Jones
II. The Role of the Self in Dissonance

Dissonance, Hypocrisy, and the Self-Concept
—Elliot Aronson
Self-Affirmation Theory: An Update and Appraisal
—Joshua Aronson, Geoffry Cohen, and Paul R. Nail
Unwanted Consequences and the Self: In Search of the Motivation for Dissonance Reduction
—Joel Cooper
What Exactly Have I Done? The Role of Self-Attribute Accessibility in Dissonance
—Jeff Stone
A Self-Accountability Model of Dissonance Reduction: Multiple Modes on a Continuum of Elaboration
—Michael R. Leippe and Donna Eisenstadt
III. Mathematical Models of Dissonance

Computer Simulation of Cognitive Dissonance Reduction
—Thomas R. Shultz and Mark R. Lepper
A Multiplicative Power-Function Model of Cognitive Dissonance: Toward an Integrated Theory of Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior After Leon Festinger
—Haruki Sakari
IV. Dissonance and Affect

Moving Beyond Attitude Change in the Study of Dissonance-Related Processes
—Patricia G. Devine, John M. Tauer, Kenneth E. Barron, Andrew J. Elliot, and Kristen M. Vance
"Remembering" Dissonance: Simultaneous Accessibility of Inconsistent Elements Moderates Epistemic Discomfort
—Ian McGregor, Ian R. Newby-Clark, and Mark P. Zanna
Appendixes

Social Communication and Cognition: A Very Preliminary and Highly Tentative Draft
—Leon Festinger (1954)
Reflections on Cognitive Dissonance: 30 Years Later
—Leon Festinger (1987)
Historical Note on Festinger's Tests of Dissonance Theory
—Judson Mills

[IanFantom]

Interesting. Any summaries, reviews etc on Cognitive Dissonance will be most welcome. The books are a bit heavy (and expensive), but highly relevant if we can understand better the minds both of people subjected to political propaganda and those creating the deceptions.

At the moment, I have a very simple model, which seems to explain much of my own observations.

We have two thinking brains: an rational left brain and an intuitive right brain. In physiological terms that's an oversimplification, but as an abstraction it seems to work. In solving a maths problem we focus on the left brain, and to join the dots we focus on the right brain. So we see the answer to a computer problem only when we get home and relax.

Some people focus mainly on the left brain and look at the logic of an argument. They don't take much notice of Very Persuasive People.

Others focus mainly on the right brain, and will go along with VPPs, whatever the logic of the situation.

It's therefore possible to have two contradictory views at the same time. The view which pertains at any one time depends on which brain is dominant. That is Orwell's double-think. I've met this many times. You can talk to someone quite rationally, and they seem to understand everything, then next time you meet them they've been tackled by VPPs and they've switched. It's not that they can argue a case out; they just know you're wrong, even if they're not quite sure what it is you're wrong about.

A physicist will be trained in reconciling the two brains. Many theories of modern physics are counter-intuitive. The two brains will work more independently than for most people, and an unusual percentage of physicists have some degree of Aspbergers - which can be described as a communication barrier between the two brains.

Also, when people are under stress, they tend to have tunnel vision, in that they see only one solution and go for it. Only when they relax do they then join the dots and see other interpretations.

Hence, if you want to control the mob, you first gain control of the establishment, and put Very Persuasive People in place. Then you create a climate of fear, like inventing an enemy. This can be on a mega scale (Osama bin Laden, Communists, etc) or on a micro scale (a member of your club is a loose cannon and spreading disinfo). This switches the left brains off for 85% of the population. The other 15% are random individuals, who in the main won't be in direct contact with each other. The occasional one who speaks out can easily be vilified.

So what's the antidote?

1. Try to get the 15% of left-brainers to talk to each other.
2. Tackle the right-brainers not by logic, but by quoting very credible people, but do it in a relaxed way
3. Try to switch the left brains back on for two-brainers.

Points 1 and 2 are what we're doing. I'm working on 3. Anyone any ideas?

Regards, Ian.

[Thermate911]

Excellent thread - so desperately needs an airing.

Ian, with 15% we're already statistically assured of revolution - hopefully peaceful or at least lawful.

Might I recommend “POLITICAL PONEROLOGY – A science on the nature of evil adjusted for political purposes” as an in-depth study of this phenomena at first hand?
http://www.ponerology.com/

IMO, both lobes of the brain can be considered as just the frontline of sensory processing - our longterm storage takes place at the DNA level throughout the body (and dare I mention 'aura' in this respect?) and is greatly affected by electro-magnetic influences - I'm still searching for the de-frag function... ;-)

[fish5133]

Thermate wrote:

[Thermate911]