The doorway effect

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The doorway effect: what it is and why it's different
than forgetfulness
You walk into the room and several seconds later you forget why you did it. Has it ever happened to you?
Probably yes. Scientists say that the doorway effect is a common problem in everyone’s life.
We don't know about this problem because we don't understand how our mind works. The human brain is not
just a simple closet with separate shelves where we can find the information that we need. Our ideas change
depending on the place, time, and situation, and we need to keep all of them in our heads. As you can see, our
brain works on different levels of attention at the same time.
For example, to get from point A to point B, we have to perform several tasks, from "open the door" to "not to
miss your stop." If you suddenly forget your phone in a room and go back to find it but something gets in the
way and distracts you - for example, you step on a piece of Lego - your brain will switch from its task to the
feeling of physical pain. So, when you cross the doorway, you will forget the reason why you came into that
room.
American psychologists discovered this effect and called it “the doorway effect”. During their scientific research,
the experts created a virtual model of a house. The volunteers who took part in the experiment had to move
around and perform certain tasks.
The scientists found out that the people remembered almost all of the tasks while they were moving inside the
house, but forgot the purpose of their movement as soon as they passed through the doorway. So, next time
you feel the same, don't think that your "memory losses" are a sign of upcoming Alzheimer's.
A QUIZLET link: The Doorway Effect

The doorway effect

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