Why is it so easy to remember things we don’t want to remember.

Question

I don’t mean this in a trauma sense, but why is it if we see a TV spoiler for example its almost impossible to forget, but trying to remember something intentionally is often harder.

In: Biology

Answer 1

I’m assuming it’s because there’s something there to trigger the memory. So you see a spoiler, then once you start watching the show, it triggers that memory. It would be like trying to remember to pick up milk on your way home from work so you tie a string to your finger. If you didn’t have the string, you might forget, but as soon as you see the string, it triggers your memory.