The Misconceptions of Memory: How to Understand Creative Cognition to Improve Everyday Life
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Designed and Written by Denise, Lili, Malosi, and Madalyn
Welcome! Do you think you know how your memory works?
Well, chances are that you, like many people, have some common misconceptions about your memory and how it works.
Most of the information that we're taught in high school psychology classes, through media, and in society on the inner workings of memory is based on old models of psychology. In addition to this, there are terms (such as repression) that have been misused and misrepresented to society, spreading outdated and inaccurate knowledge. These misguided views on your memory can impact how you use your memory in your daily life and your ability to utilize your creative cognition.
Modern psychology models and neuroscience have an updated view of memory, and that can aid us in understanding how to work with our memory and tap into our creative potential. But this new information does not receive the attention it should, so that's where we come in!
Our Creative Cognition
Creativity is often misunderstood as an inherent trait that some people are blessed with while others are not. People tend to associate creativity with exceptional artists who have been deemed creative geniuses and deem themselves as lacking in creativity. However, creativity is much more than simply being born with talent. It is a skill that everyone can cultivate and develop. In fact, we use it all the time to solve problems, imagine our futures, and make connections to the world around us.
Our creative cognition is the process we use when we engage in creative thought. It can be enhanced when we utilize the aspects of our memory that we typically consider flaws. So how do we do this?
"Memory is, by functional definition, a creative act." - Erica Kleinknecht
Actively Creative
Our activities are designed to take you through different ways you can develop your ability to be creative by using your memory in a more accurate way.
Problem Solving and Drawing
When faced with problems, we sometimes feel stuck and unsure how to solve them. Our own memory can be used for and against us in these situations. Try the activity here to find out how you can work with your memory to come up with solutions to your problems.
Link to activity: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ee185a055e.html
Memory Tip: Remember to carve out times for breaks!
Memory, Music, & Movement
Ever make a mental grocery list and then forget to buy something while you’re at the store? Well, that happens to all of us. Our memory is malleable and prone to error. Sometimes, we buy something we thought we added to the list; other times, we forget an item altogether. Our brains aren’t designed like computers, taking in information and spitting it back out. However, our brains can create patterns and cues that help us remember the things we want to. Music and movement are ways we can cue patterns of information in our brains and work with our memory.
Memory Tip: Think outside of the box when creating methods for your encoding!
Try this activity to see how music and movement can help you!
Link to activity: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/eed29560df.html
Link to music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ1XIUwDo8
The Narrative In the Cards
Have you ever been stuck in a situation and figured it out because of an experience you remembered from your past? Our past experiences and reflections on those experiences can be really helpful to use in present and future moments. Narrative coherence and reminiscing are powerful ways to strengthen our ability to pull from these experiences and think creatively to guide our present and future.
This activity guides you through your narratives in the form of tarot cards that you can use everyday.
Memory Tip: Your past experiences can help you now!
Please read the essays below to better understand the relationship between our memory and creative cognition.
About the Authors
Denise
Hello! I'm Denise, a graduating senior studying Psychology. I hope to one day get my master's and conduct research on the internet and psychology. Throughout this project I was able to learn the many ways to engage in creative cognition and how it can benefit our daily lives.
Lili
Hey! I'm Lili and I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology. This project will help with common misconceptions about how creative cognition works. I want to become a therapist and it is very important to clients and myself that I know as accurate and modern information as possible.
Malosi
Howzit! My name is Malosi and I am a graduating senior majoring in Psychology. I want to get my masters in Psychology and become a sports psychologist. I love to play the ukulele and fish with friends. This project will help me promote new techniques so that athletes can improve their knowledge of the game.
Madalyn
Hi! I'm Madalyn, a graduating senior majoring in Music. I want to go into teaching after graduation, so it is important to me that I teach and design curriculum that helps students learn effectively while still engaging them creatively. This project has helped me learn how to enhance my creative cognition, and I hope it will also help other students.
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