MOTIVATED FORGETTING Meaning and
Definition
-
Motivated forgetting is a psychological concept that refers to the intentional or unconscious act of suppressing or disregarding certain memories or information due to specific motives or reasons. It is considered a defense mechanism used by individuals to protect themselves from experiencing emotional distress caused by potentially painful, embarrassing, or traumatic recollections.
When facing distressing memories or information, individuals may employ motivated forgetting to selectively remove or disregard those thoughts or facts from their conscious awareness. This process typically occurs when the individual's unconscious mind recognizes that the suppression of particular memories aligns with their psychological well-being. In some instances, the motive behind this forgetting can be to avoid feeling guilt, shame, or anxiety associated with past events or experiences.
Motivated forgetting can manifest in two main forms: intentional and unintentional. Intentional forgetting occurs when individuals actively try to suppress or push away certain memories or knowledge deliberately. Unintentional forgetting, on the other hand, occurs when the mind automatically blocks out or represses distressing memories without the individual's conscious effort.
However, it is important to note that motivated forgetting is a complex process that varies among individuals and is influenced by various factors such as emotional state, cultural background, and personal motivations. Additionally, motivated forgetting has been a subject of debate among psychologists, with some questioning its reliability and suggesting alternative explanations for memory suppression and retrieval difficulties.
Etymology of MOTIVATED FORGETTING
The term "motivated forgetting" is a concept that originates from the field of psychology and cognitive science.
The word "forgetting" comes from the Old English word "forgietan", which means "to lose the power of remembering". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "frawajanan", meaning "to lose, to part with".
The term "motivated" in this context refers to the idea that forgetting is not always a passive process but can be influenced and driven by certain motivations, intentions, or desires. It originates from the Latin word "motivus", which means "causing motion" or "impelling" and is derived from the verb "movere", meaning "to move".
Therefore, "motivated forgetting" describes the intentional or driven process of actively suppressing, repressing, or deliberately not remembering certain information, memories, or experiences.
