INTP and bad memory

[Delacroix]

Do you often experience situations where you get accused of having bad memory, but you think it is because you're too much focused on your own mind rather than on the 'real' world?
Do you consider the possibility that it is just an excuse to avoid letting your ego getting damaged?

I experience those situations often, at least with my girlfriend who seems to have a 'very good memory'. Of course I hope this is all because I'm more focused on my own thoughts rather than I'm intellectual inferior.

I've read somewhere that INTP's care a lot about how others think about themselves (if they're smart or not), but shouldn't the rational answer be; it doesn't matter? isn't this a paradox?

 

[r4ch3l]

Unless I'm doing a lot of drugs my memory is a bit scary. I freak people out or annoy then by remembering every detail of conversations had years ago, etc. Totally useless with names and numbers though. But I'll remember your birthday and where you work and that you just got back from Cambodia in October 2009 and were wearing a maroon members only jacket.

ETA: has your memory always been like this or has it cuanged over time? Sometimes my memory gets sloppy when I'm under a lot of stress and dissociating.

 

[Lot]

It's a mixed bag for me. One moment I remember every little detail. The next, I can't remember a simple word. If I get called out on the spot, I'll draw a blank. Even if I think I'm going to get called out, I draw a blank. Not always, of course, but often enough.

I can forget practical things as well. I think I've paid my credit card bill on time twice this year. I'll go to the store and not even buy the thing I went there for. I deliver pizza. Some times I'll leave with two orders and totally forget to take one. I get back to the store and got to grab my bags, and see the other order sitting there.

 

[Delacroix]

@Rachel
It has always been like this I think. I remember some things for years. But my brain seems to chose them randomly. I have to remember the 'obvious' things, like where did I park my car, consciously, not like others just unconsciously.
My memory, in genereal my logical thinking, seems to have problems when I'm among people who I don't know really well, so I feel very relaxed with them.

 

[ummidk]

^ last sentence sounds like anxiety

My biggest problem is with practical stuff, sometimes I just never even think about it, it's not so much that I've forgotten, but got lost in something else and the thought never crosses my head.

 

[HDINTP]

Well yes. I always say my memory is terrible. I am lost in my thoughts very often and then I... I don't really have strong connection to "real" world which pisses some of my family members of by the way.

 

[HDINTP]

@Rachel
I have to remember the 'obvious' things, like where did I park my car, consciously, not like others just unconsciously.

This with car. I can totally see myself in same situation. I am afraid of the day I will forget where I parked my car and trust me it is very possible that it will happen one day...

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

Do you often experience situations where you get accused of having bad memory, but you think it is because you're too much focused on your own mind rather than on the 'real' world?
Do you consider the possibility that it is just an excuse to avoid letting your ego getting damaged?

No. (therefore the rest of the questions are inapplicable)

I remember too much. It would be nice to shut er down once awhile I suppose, like when I am trying to sleep.

 

[rushgirl2112]

Do you often experience situations where you get accused of having bad memory, but you think it is because you're too much focused on your own mind rather than on the 'real' world?
Do you consider the possibility that it is just an excuse to avoid letting your ego getting damaged?

When it comes to memory, the only things I easily "forget" are the ones that I never fully noticed or committed to memory in the first place because I'm so focused on my internal state. That and being introverted with social anxiety.

So for example, I don't remember names well or details of other people's lives that they've discussed with me in casual conversation.

I remember lots of things very well, though, if they're personally significant. I've spent my life capturing certain moments in time to savor at a future date. And by that, I mean mentally recording everything I felt and saw and fully recognizing how it would feel to me looking back on it in the future. The first time I did this was back when I was 12 and we were moving, and there have been several since.

Those memories are incredibly vivid, to the point that I can close my eyes and feel everything I did then, and that includes all my senses. Obviously, I can't literally see something, but I can visualize it as clearly as I could if I'd closed my eyes right after it happened. I'm 40, and there are memories from my childhood that are that crystal clear.

So no, I don't think it's an excuse to spare my ego. I just think it's the difference between what I consider to be personally meaningful or not. If it's significant, I'm not going to forget even across decades; if it isn't, I won't remember later today.

 

[Wolf18]

Interesting question.

I have excellent long term memory, as I naturally use techniques (similar to synesthesia) that allow me to view dates and facts spatially. I have also taught myself memory-palace techniques, which also came rather easily.

When I started secondary school, I saw a girl whom I'd known at summer camp years earlier. I reminded her of what happened two days before her birthday in 2005, and I think I might have frightened her.

Otherwise, I tend to be rather absent-minded. At school, I will find myself in some room, and realise that I've forgotten what I was there for. I also talk to myself a lot, so if this happens, people tend to give me looks.

Like rushgirl, I like to save certain memories for the future, but I think it may also have a little to do with ego – I suppose I do care if people think I'm smart or not.

SW

 

[Thurlor]

I've never really suffered from a lack of memory but instead I suffer from absent mindedness. This makes paying bills on time a hassle.

 

[Thurlor]

When it comes to memory, the only things I easily "forget" are the ones that I never fully noticed or committed to memory in the first place because I'm so focused on my internal state.

As far as I remember (lol) there are only a few reason why any of us ever forget things;
- Physiological damage to the brain preventing memory formation or retrieval.
- Jumbled memories. Memory A becomes combined with Memory B.
- Not focusing on information as it is coming in.

I think the last reason is why most people have issues with memory. An air-head teenager has trouble remembering a sequence of a few numbers unless those numbers are their idol's birthday or some such.

 

[Affinity]

As far as I remember (lol) there are only a few reason why any of us ever forget things;
- Physiological damage to the brain preventing memory formation or retrieval.
- Jumbled memories. Memory A becomes combined with Memory B.
- Not focusing on information as it is coming in.

I think the last reason is why most people have issues with memory. An air-head teenager has trouble remembering a sequence of a few numbers unless those numbers are their idol's birthday or some such.

Also, elevated levels of cortisol in the body from stress can impact your memory pretty badly. Being in the most stressful period of my life thus far, it is absolutely noticeable.

 

[nervous-walking]

Very absent-minded also. It's a bit of a problem at work - when people give me small tasks it's pretty much guaranteed I won't remember to do it just a few minutes later.

My long-term memory though is great. As with other people, I can remember details of conversations from years ago, the clothes that people were wearing, what I ordered at a restaurant, lists of useless things I learnt just to test my memory..

Perhaps it has something to do with our working/short-term memory being taken up processing ideas and thinking logically about tasks rather than attempting to store new information (that will likely be useless and not make it to LTM anyway). Just different cognitive styles. Don't feel bad about it. I'm not even sure you'd be able to substantially redirect the automatic processes of your working memory if you tried, but someone might be able to clarify that.

 

[Hadoblado]

I have a very poor memory in every conceivable sense. It's very frustrating, as it pervades every aspect of my life. I'm not ashamed of this limitation, rather I feel like someone competing in the paralympics. It prevents me from doing all sorts of things, but in many other ways I'm advantaged, so I have little reason to complain.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

My memory is Okay. I remember very little when it comes to math problem or lab procedures and things I find irrelevant to the more important whole understanding of something. For example, today I asked a question in class and I can't remember what the question or answer was but I know what I learned today as a whole. I am really good remembering experiences that matter to me. For instance, I remember getting on the Max Air at Cedar Point, feeling overly anxious because I thought the seat belt was loose. I remember continuously imagining myself flying out of the seat. I'll never get on coasters (it wasn't rolling) again.

 

[Thurlor]

I find it hard to even imagine not remembering what I did yesterday, last week, last year or when I was a kid. I can't help but feel sorry for those with bad memories. It is a deficiency.

 

[kvothe27]

My short term memory isn't so good due to my inattention. But, my long term memory is decent, excepting details, such as names and dates. I do remember a lot of conversations. Such memories blindside me all the time.

I do well on tests, but I don't do so well in real-time situations that require me to follow some procedure or some set of detailed instructions. Those detailed instructions are in one ear and out the other. I find I often have to write those instructions out a few times in order to get it into my long term memory. Once it's in my long term memory, however, I usually perform better than other people.

 

[kvothe27]

I find it hard to even imagine not remembering what I did yesterday, last week, last year or when I was a kid. I can't help but feel sorry for those with bad memories. It is a deficiency.

A good memory can be a hindrance, such as a person who's gone through a lot of trauma or someone who often finds herself ruminating.

 

[B.C.P.]

I've read before that women tend to have better memory than men (or is that just a meme?)

I identify with Lot and pizza delivery. I almost got fired for forgetting things like 2-liters and credit card slips.

@OP INTP's tend to be rational... in their own heads. Looking into reality may reveal a startling degree of disparity, however. Gotta develop Ne and get out there in the real world, too. Not talking down, I'm there too.

Delacroix, it sounds like you're uncomfortable with your memory. Remembering exact details in the past is useful, but having a sharp and present mind that can grasp immediate situations is just as useful.

 

[walfin]

I have poor short term memory and selective long-term memory. It's not the result of inattention. I often remember things which I don't need or don't really want to remember and vice versa.

I'm considering taking gingko supplements (or just having gingko desserts more often), but I wonder if there's any other solution for a very common INTP (or INFP) problem.