高中英语教学：Jonathan Hancock have a distingly good memory.docx

Have A Disgustingly Good Memory By?Jonathan Hancock? Negative feelings can nudge your brain, says our memory expert, Jonathan Hancock Many of our memory systems are?driven by one single, powerful urge:?to survive. We seem to be hard-wired to?remember routes, so we can navigate?our local environments safely. We’re also naturally talented at?recognising faces. Ever since we lived?in groups, us humans have needed?to know who’s “part of the pack”, and?who isn’t, as a vital part of staying safe. And we’re excellent at remembering?things that might put our wellbeing at?risk. A recent research study showed?that we’re remarkably accurate at?recalling anything connected with?infection. Even imaginary dangers?can sharpen our memory skills. In the study, volunteers were?shown a set of objects that they?would be tested on later. But there?was a twist. Some of the items were?held by a researcher who was said to?have COVID. And guess what? Those?“contaminated” objects proved to be?significantly easier to recall. None of the volunteers would ever?have to touch those things themselves.?But their minds still prioritised them,?locking in the information for later—?just in case it could keep them safe. And it’s a reflex that you can use?to your advantage. When you’ve got?something important to remember,?why not “tag” it with one of those?unpleasant feelings that your brain?can’t help holding on to?? Worried about forgetting the milk?from your shopping list? Picture?the bottle, and imagine opening it?only to discover that it’s weeks out?of date. Think about how it would?look—and smell! Thanks to the?power of disgust, you’ll have a much?better chance of remembering the?fresh milk you need.? Maybe you have to visit the library?before it closes. To jog your memory,?visualise the library tables piled high?with all the foods you absolutely?hate. See if your instinct for selfprotection keeps the library in your?thoughts more than normally!? And how about learning the PIN?for your debit card