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NJCher

(37,869 posts)
Mon Jul 16, 2012, 02:56 PM Jul 2012

It's not a "senior moment," it's a "doorway moment"

When I go from one room to another, I stand in the second room like a dufus, wondering why the heck I'm there. I can't even remember what I was trying to do.

I did this again today. I vaguely remembered some research had come out about this phenomena six months or so ago, so I googled "doorway memory."

What it is, say scientists, is that the doorway is an "event eraser." Yes, just the act of walking through a doorway can erase the memory!

It's interesting to read how they did the study. I have one link that's an easy read (hey, it's summer!),
but if you want specifics of the study, I recommend one at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-walking-through-doorway-makes-you-forgetScientific American.
]
From now on I will repeat why I am leaving the room when I reach the doorway.


Cher



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It's not a "senior moment," it's a "doorway moment" (Original Post) NJCher Jul 2012 OP
Yes, I was so relieved when I read that! silverweb Jul 2012 #1
my husband has car door moments Celebration Jul 2012 #2
I read that a few months ago FirstLight Jul 2012 #3
While I've experienced that, I had no idea it was a recognized phenomena. SheilaT Jul 2012 #4

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
1. Yes, I was so relieved when I read that!
Mon Jul 16, 2012, 03:56 PM
Jul 2012

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]It justifies most of my forgetful existence.

Literally.

My usual response to most questions from my mother when I was a kid was, "I forgot." We had a lot of doorways.



Celebration

(15,812 posts)
2. my husband has car door moments
Mon Jul 16, 2012, 04:32 PM
Jul 2012

He forgets which way to turn whenever we go out our driveway. It's pretty odd.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
4. While I've experienced that, I had no idea it was a recognized phenomena.
Tue Jul 17, 2012, 02:08 AM
Jul 2012

I had a cat a while back who was about 18 years old, and had become somewhat senile. She'd walk from one room to another and it was obvious she had no idea why she had done so.

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