As we get older, it’s common to experience some memory decline. However, researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered an easy trick that can boost your brain power and help you to remember better. Rather than being a sign of cognitive decline, making near-miss guesses can actually enhance your memory in the long run.
Making Mistakes Can Improve Memory
The study suggests that making nearly correct guesses while attempting to remember information can sharpen your memory. Andrée-Ann Cyr, the lead researcher, explains that making random guesses is not beneficial, but near-miss guesses can act as stepping stones for retrieving the correct information. This benefit has been observed in both younger and older adults.
Previously, scientists believed that memory mistakes made by older people were detrimental to their cognitive abilities. However, Cyr’s research indicates that trial and error, more specifically, making near-miss guesses, can actually aid memory retention.
Conceptually Close Guesses Enhance Recall
Cyr’s investigations of memory reveal that when you make a guess that is conceptually close to what you are trying to remember, it enhances your capability of recalling the information later on.
For example, if you’re trying to recall the word ‘rose’ in a word test, and you initially guess another flower like ‘tulip’ or ‘daffodil’ before landing on the correct answer, your memory will perform better in later attempts to recall ‘rose’ than if you had simply struggled without guessing.
Profound Clinical and Practical Implications
These results have significant implications for memory rehabilitation and lifelong learning. They challenge traditional views of best practices and provide guidance for how seniors should approach studying and retaining information.
According to researcher Nicole Anderson, “They turn traditional views of best practices in memory rehabilitation for healthy seniors on their head by demonstrating that making the right kind of errors can be beneficial. They also provide great hope for lifelong learning and guidance for how seniors should study.”
How to Apply This Strategy in Daily Life
Here are some practical ways to incorporate making near-miss guesses into your everyday life to improve your memory:
- Take advantage of context clues: If you’re trying to recall a specific piece of information, think about the surrounding facts or what you already know that’s related to what you’re trying to remember. This will help you make more near-miss guesses and eventually arrive at the correct answer.
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Use the process of elimination: When attempting to remember an answer significantly increases when making a guess between two or three options and narrowing them down. Eliminating what you know to be incorrect will bring you closer to an accurate near-miss guess and improve your memory.
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Practice mental exercises: Participate in activities, such as crossword puzzles or trivia games, that challenge your brain and encourage you to make guesses as you’re trying to recall information.
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Stay curious and engaged: Always be open to learning new information and engaging with the world around you. This will not only keep your brain active but will also provide more opportunities to practice making near-miss guesses.
In conclusion, embracing the process of trial and error by making near-miss guesses can lead to long-term memory benefits. As you age, consider incorporating this strategy into your daily life to improve your cognitive abilities and keep your mind sharp.
