Researchers suggest that this may be because once people have set a reminder for a high-value circle, they no longer have to keep track of it using their internal memory. In spite of that, their accuracy increased more for low-value circles. However, they tended to use reminders for high-value circles. In the new study, when participants were allowed to use reminders, their accuracy - or how well they remembered which circles had a low or high value - increased. A similar impact of an item’s higher value on memory has been seen in previous research. Participants, who couldn’t use external reminders, tended to remember high-value circles better than low-value circles. This is similar to using a smartphone or other digital device to remember information for later. Participants earned points by dragging the low- or high-value circles to the side of the screen with the corresponding color.īecause the circles were moved in numerical order, participants had to remember - using their own internal memory - which circles were low or high value, even after the color had changed to yellow.ĭuring the first experiment, some participants were allowed to set reminders on the screen for low- or high-value circles. New circles appeared after each circle was removed from the board.Ĭertain circles were assigned a low or high value, as indicated by them appearing briefly as blue or pink - before becoming yellow like the circles with no value. In the study, published August 1 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 158 volunteers played one of three memory task games on a touchscreen digital tablet or computer.ĭuring these games, participants were shown numbered circles on the screen and had to drag them in order of ascending number to the bottom, left or right side of the screen. “Otherwise, if a memory tool fails, we could be left with nothing but lower-importance information in our own memory.” “But we need to be careful that we back up the most important information,” he added. Far from causing ‘digital dementia,’ using an external memory device can even improve our memory for information that we never saved,” study author Sam Gilbert, PhD, a senior research fellow at University College London’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, said in a release. “The results show that external memory tools work. New research suggests that this may not be the case, at least under the specific circumstances used during the experiments in the study. Smartphones, wearables, and other digital devices have become ubiquitous memory aids, storing an endless amount of important - and not so important information - from phone numbers to birthdays to medication reminders.īut the widespread use of these devices has led to concerns that these devices might impair our internal memories. More research is needed to fully understand how we remember the world around us - with and without our devices at hand.Researchers used a memory task game to see if using a smart phone helped their memory.New research finds digital devices may actually help aid our memory.Wake up on time for that early morning flight or meeting thanks to smart alarm clock features ready to help you get up and get going.Share on Pinterest Donald Iain Smith/Getty Images Have the ability to sleep through a storm? Rest easy with alarm clocks that can wake heavy sleepers by increasing in intensity and repeating until the alarm is turned off. Need more helpful features? Choose digital alarm clocks with thermometer, timer, clock and alarm options. IKEA has tiny alarm clocks which can be placed atop picture ledges or crowded bookshelves in the bedroom. There’s even room for alarm clocks in cramped spaces with our smart and compact designs. From vibrant color contrasts to sleek numeral indices, we have a wide range of clocks that will match your style. When choosing a clock, think about design and colors. Get accuracy to the second and and enjoy displays which are easy to read in the dark when you have to get up early.Ī clock can be so much more than just an alarm. Choose digital alarm clocks when precision is key. Go with dual bell analog alarm clocks for a classic look or find stylish, minimalist designs for a modern feel. Analog clocks are timeless, excuse the pun. Set the alarm for stylish and smart features in alarm clocksįirst things first, digital or analog. Disconnect from your smartphone and enjoy a restful sleep by relying on a fashionable and functional alarm clock to wake you up. Strike a stylish statement with classic and modern alarm clocks in a variety of attractive designs.

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