Some theorists suggest that our earliest memories form when we're first able to develop narrative, around the age of five.Kishkumen wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:46 amI am not a specialist in human development, so I may be mistaken. My assumption is based on the idea that our perceptions are being organized before we can apprehend, let alone tell, stories. But honestly I would love to know anything more accurate that may help me get a better handle on things.
Belief as Cop Out
Re: Belief as Cop Out
Re: Belief as Cop Out
Thank you, Morley! Yes, I recall reading something similar. Those would have to be memories of a particular kind, since we are obviously learning and retaining things before that.
“The past no longer belongs only to those who once lived it; the past belongs to those who claim it, and are willing to explore it, and to infuse it with meaning for those alive today.”—Margaret Atwood
Re: Belief as Cop Out
Of course we are. The development of language in early infancy, for example. And we all know how culturally loaded language is.
I think we have to be very careful, however, in assigning too much to actual early memory.
As an adult, Piaget famously remembered a detailed and emotional incident of his own kidnapping as an infant. The trouble was that it had never happened, it turned out that it was a constructed memory made of stories that he'd been told in later childhood.
But this is completely veering away from your delightful topic. Carry on.
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Re: Belief as Cop Out
Thank you! I am pretty sure that I have Sunbeam memories. That class started at age 3.Morley wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:00 pmOf course we are. The development of language in early infancy, for example. And we all know how culturally loaded language is.
I think we have to be very careful, however, in assigning too much to actual early memory.
As an adult, Piaget famously remembered a detailed and emotional incident of his own kidnapping as an infant. The trouble was that it had never happened, it turned out that it was a constructed memory made of stories that he'd been told in later childhood.
But this is completely veering away from your delightful topic. Carry on.
I am not worried about how much one assigns to early memory in that my concern is not with what a person later remembers of their childhood. What I am thinking of is the development of conscious awareness and how the mind begins to organize sense perceptions. Whether I can later remember the process of sorting light and dark, etc., is neither here nor there. I am speculating that the fundamental learning that happens in bodily communication with the environment and other human beings is probably a lot more consequential than we often appreciate. I don't know that I am necessarily right, but my speculation--by way of full disclosure--does inform my views.
“The past no longer belongs only to those who once lived it; the past belongs to those who claim it, and are willing to explore it, and to infuse it with meaning for those alive today.”—Margaret Atwood
Re: Belief as Cop Out
I think entire field of mainstream psychology would wholeheartedly agree.
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Re: Belief as Cop Out
LOL! Well, it is good to know that my speculations are not so far outside of the mainstream of what people who actually know something are thinking.
“The past no longer belongs only to those who once lived it; the past belongs to those who claim it, and are willing to explore it, and to infuse it with meaning for those alive today.”—Margaret Atwood
Re: Belief as Cop Out
I know, right?! Especially when summarized and blessed by some anonymous, internet dude!
edit: I apologize to all for the derail. Back to your regularly scheduled program.
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