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Andy’s Quick Hits (98): A Sense of Purpose Improves Your Memory
Just how does a sense of purpose help memory?
Well, this study by Angela Sutin et al. of Florida State University tested 800 people by asking them about their sense of purpose, giving them a batch of cognitive tests, and then quizzing them on their personal memories.
And what did they find?
Well, both cognitive ability and sense of purpose correlated with better memories.
Cognitive ability should be associated with better memory, right?
Yup, higher cognitive ability is associated with better memory. Logically. But the association with purpose was interesting.
And how?
Well, firstly that this is correlated with better memory (and not just with cognitive ability). But interestingly the vividness and coherence of the memory is only associated with a sense of purpose.
So a sense of purpose gives better memories?
This is precisely what it seems to do. Not just increases memory but increases the quality of memories!
And this could be a positive effect with better memories leading to better well being?
Sure thing. This is another mechanism by which a sense of purpose can increase wellbeing — apart from other reported…