Does drawing on memory help us solve problems? Our experiment gave some surprising answers

Does drawing on memory help us solve problems? Our experiment gave some surprising answers

Getty ImagesConventional wisdom suggests memories of past experiences can help us navigate problems in the present. For example, if a friend told you they were having a disagreement with their partner, you might ask what they did last time they argued. If your child was anxious about a presentation, you might boost their confidence by saying “remember that great speech you did last year”. Indeed, memory researchers have found people report a key…

Does drawing on memory help us solve problems?

(THE CONVERSATION): Conventional wisdom suggests memories of past experiences can help us navigate problems in the present. For example, if a friend told you they were having a disagreement with their partner, you might ask what they did last time they argued. If your child was anxious about a presentation, you might boost their confidence by saying “remember that great speech you did last year”. Read more: Boredom gets a bad rap. But science sa…