Monday, February 18, 2013

8-5-1: Selective Memory

The Rangers skated away from Sunday's 'matinee' match against the Capitals with two points. In the end, that is all that is important. Aside from the two outstanding tallies by the Blueshirts, most of the details of the one-goal win are not worth remembering.

The fact that they were taken to the wire by the worst team in the Eastern Conference, well, we need to forget about that. An inexcusable goal against on a wide open shot just over a minute in, Hank's good looks erase that. Sitting on a one-goal lead rather than trying to make it a two-goal lead? Slip it from your mind. Four poor penalties? Let 'em go. Darroll Powe getting knocked out by Matt Hendricks? Already ignored, no one bothered to avenge him anyway. Yet another occurrence of Braden Holtby-ism, a syndrome where the Rangers make the mediocre netminder look good by inflating his stats with easy saves? Definitely worth deleting from the memory bank.

Once all that is consigned to oblivion we can bask in the brilliance of the two goals scored by the Blueshirts and the two points they took for defeating the Caps. Beating Washington is always wonderful and, at the end of the day, that is what the boys in blue did. They triumphed over Ovie and improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Selective memory is a wonderful thing.

Late Hits:

*A power play goal. By the Rangers. Really. And it was glorious. I felt like James Bond. Richard$ actually won a faceoff, Nash's fancy-pants move actually worked to pass it back, then tic-tac-toe Richard$ to Del Zaster to Stepan and we're winning.

*Step finished that play, and he started the game-tying tally. He hustled to the boards, pressuring Troy Brouwer into making a poor pass that McDonagh intercepted and fired deep. Hagelin then tipped Tom Poti's clearing attempt, allowing Rick Nash to get it and feed McDonagh for the shot that Hagelin redirected in. Bork, Bork, Bork!

*And Poti - of all the blueliners in all the world - Poti being the player to lose his cover ... simply spectacular. POOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIII, POOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIII, POOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIII. Peanut Butta Poti Time, Peanut Butta Poti Time! It is soooo much fun to revel in his mistakes, now that they aren't made while he's wearing a Ranger sweater.

*The current Blueshirt blueliner to draw my ire, Del Zaster, didn't suck. He saw way too much ice time, made a few blatant mistakes and took a terrible penalty, but he didn't suck. Maybe he just looked passable thanks to Poti being on the same ice ... yeah, that probably was it.

*DZ was one of several Rangers guilty of going down to try to block passes. Sure the play looks pretty, but it just shows how far out of position the player was.

*Bravo to NBC Sports for including the national anthem, which featured John Amirante. Sad they missed his trademark fist-pump, but still more than we get during MSG broadcasts. And no Micheletti, can't beat that.

*Sounded like a loud crowd on tv. It was helped that the 6pm start was the earliest of the season (pending the last two NBC games) and that it came on the eve of a holiday. Nice to see the Rangers recognized it with a give-away ... oh, wait, they didn't.


*Kinda sad to see that Ovechkin shaved his dastardly Van Dyke. Ah well, at least we know he's still evil.

*Cally tangling with Ovie? What a moment. And his honest, selfless work at the end of the game? It is getting hard to love our captain more.


*Not only does it appear that Adam Oates has no idea how to coach, but it looks like he had some bad plastic surgery too. Bet he scares all the children on Halloween. Loved that it was him, rather than our dynamic duo behind the bench, that got called for a too many men on the ice.

*Don't tell me Hendricks didn't nail Powe intentionally, I watched the replay a number of times and you can see him lower his right shoulder right before impact. He saw Powe coming and used it to his advantage. The only surprise is that it wasn't John Erskine who did it.

*Asham helped Powe off the ice, the first instance of him actually doing something positive for his Ranger teammates.

*PHW Three Stars:
3- Braden Holtby - 38 saves.
2- Rick Nash - one assist.
1- Carl Hagelin - one goal.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars:
3- Hagelin - While he gives credit to Nash for making room for him, last season Hags had chance after chance last season that he couldn't capitalize upon. Now he's finishing.
2- Stepan - Some games Step looks amazing, others he disappears. Once he gains some consistency we will have ourselves one terrific second line center.
1- Callahan - The wind beneath our wings.



 8-5-1: Navigating Selective Memory - A Deep Dive into Cognitive Biases



Selective memory, often characterized by the numbers 8-5-1, is a cognitive phenomenon that affects the way people recall and retain information. It refers to the tendency of individuals to remember some events or details while conveniently forgetting or overlooking others. In this article, we explore the concept of selective memory, its underlying cognitive biases, its impact on decision-making and relationships, and strategies to manage it effectively.

I. The 8-5-1 Framework

The 8-5-1 framework is a simplified representation of selective memory:

The "8" stands for remembering the positive experiences, events, or compliments received.
The "5" represents recalling negative experiences, events, or criticisms.
The "1" signifies the tendency to retain a single, particularly traumatic or impactful memory.
This framework illustrates the disproportionate emphasis on certain types of memories based on their emotional valence.

II. The Science Behind Selective Memory

Selective memory is rooted in several cognitive biases and psychological processes:

A. Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and attitudes. When individuals have a confirmation bias, they are more likely to remember information that aligns with their existing viewpoints while forgetting contradictory evidence.

B. Positivity Bias

Positivity bias is the preference for positive information and experiences over negative ones. This bias can lead individuals to remember the pleasant aspects of a situation while downplaying or forgetting the unpleasant ones.

C. Negativity Bias

Negativity bias is the tendency to pay more attention to and remember negative information or experiences. Evolutionarily, this bias may have helped humans prioritize potential threats. However, in modern contexts, it can lead to the selective retention of negative memories.

D. Emotional Impact

Memories that carry a strong emotional charge are more likely to be stored and recalled. This is why particularly positive or traumatic events are often remembered vividly.

III. Impact of Selective Memory

A. Decision-Making

Selective memory can significantly influence decision-making processes. When individuals remember primarily positive experiences, they may make overly optimistic decisions, while those who recall mostly negative experiences may become overly cautious or pessimistic. These biases can affect choices related to investments, relationships, and career opportunities.

B. Relationships

In personal relationships, selective memory can shape perceptions and interactions. For example, if one partner in a relationship tends to focus on negative aspects of the relationship, it can lead to increased conflict and dissatisfaction. Conversely, a partner who primarily remembers positive experiences may view the relationship more positively.

C. Mental Health

Selective memory can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Individuals who predominantly recall negative experiences or ruminate on past failures may be more susceptible to depressive symptoms. Conversely, people who selectively remember positive events may experience more resilience and lower levels of anxiety.

IV. Strategies for Managing Selective Memory

A. Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves being aware of one's thoughts and emotions without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help individuals recognize when they are engaging in selective memory and allow them to consciously choose to focus on a broader range of memories.

B. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and challenge cognitive biases and negative thought patterns. It can be effective in addressing selective memory by encouraging individuals to reevaluate their interpretations of past events.

C. Journaling

Keeping a journal or diary can be a helpful tool for combating selective memory. By recording both positive and negative experiences, individuals can gain a more balanced perspective on their lives and experiences.

D. Seeking Feedback

Seeking feedback from trusted friends, family members, or colleagues can provide a more objective view of one's behavior and actions. Others may offer insights into situations and events that the individual may have forgotten or misremembered.

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is selective memory the same as nostalgia?
A: No, selective memory and nostalgia are related but distinct concepts. Selective memory involves the tendency to remember some aspects of the past while forgetting or downplaying others, often influenced by cognitive biases. Nostalgia, on the other hand, is a sentimental longing for the past, which can involve recalling positive memories with fondness.

Q: Can selective memory be consciously controlled?
A: While selective memory is influenced by cognitive biases and automatic processes, individuals can develop awareness of their tendencies and employ strategies to mitigate its impact. Mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and journaling are techniques that can help individuals manage selective memory.

Q: Is it always harmful to have selective memory?
A: Not necessarily. Selective memory can serve as a coping mechanism, helping individuals focus on positive aspects of their lives and avoid becoming overwhelmed by negative memories. However, when it leads to biased decision-making or strained relationships, it may become problematic.



Selective memory, represented by the 8-5-1 framework, is a cognitive phenomenon that impacts the way people recall and retain information. It is influenced by cognitive biases such as confirmation bias, positivity bias, negativity bias, and the emotional impact of memories. While selective memory can have both positive and negative effects on decision-making, relationships, and mental health, individuals can learn to manage it through mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, journaling, and seeking feedback. By recognizing and addressing their selective memory tendencies, individuals can achieve a more balanced and accurate perception of their past experiences.




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