The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers.

DANIEL L. SCHACTER

Harvard University psychologist Schacter exposes the fascinating intricacies of human memory, which is all the more remarkable for its foibles. Providing a framework for conceptualizing common memory glitches, Schacter considers these seven sins: transience, absentmindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Whereas the first three sins result from a failure to recall a certain idea or event, the last four derive from a false or unwanted version of some existing memory. The author explains why and how memory weaknesses occur. Examples range from forgetting where you left your keys to being haunted by a traumatic memory. Schacter also tells how neuroimaging technology has enabled scientists to see memories being formed. The technique also has identified the brain areas linked to the sins of memory, says the author. Though they can be frustrating, Schacter contends that these sins are in many ways blessings. Originally published in hardcover in 2001. HM, 2002, 272 p., paperback, $14.00.