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2007-07-14 10:31:20
By Ben Quinn
Last Updated: 7:52am BST 13/07/2007
An over reliance on technology is leading to a dumbing down of the nation s
brain power, according a study published today.
Blackberry: Technology dumbs down brain power
How could I ever live without you?
In a society flooded with mobile phones, Blackberry devices and computers of
various shapes and sizes, a quarter of all Britons do not know their own
landline number while as little as a third can recall more than three birthdays
of their immediate family.
The research reveals that the average citizen has to remember five passwords,
five pin numbers, two number plates, three security ID numbers and three bank
account numbers just to get through day to day life.
Six out of ten people claimed that they suffer from information overload,
stating that they need to write these numbers down in order to remember them.
However, more than half of the 3000 people surveyed admitted to using the same
password across all accounts, leaving them at risk of potentially severe
security breaches.
Professor Ian Robertson, a neuropsychology expert based at Trinity College
Dublin who carried out the study, said: People have more to remember these
days, and they are relying on technology for their memory.
But the less you use of your memory, the poorer it becomes. This may be
reflected in the survey findings which show that the over 50s who grew up
committing more to memory report better performance in many areas than those
under 30 who are heavily reliant on technology to act as their day to day aide
memoir.
Professor Roberston, who oversaw the research to mark the launch of Puzzler
Brain Trainer Magazine, said that a series of five simple exercises a day can
help to increase memory capacity.
Other results of the two month study indicated that the majority (58 per cent)
of the population wrongly believes that they are incapable of remembering the
myriad of numbers and codes which they use in everyday life.
As many as a third of those surveyed under the age of 30 were unable to recall
their home telephone number without resorting to their mobile phones or to
notes.
When it came to remembering important dates such as the birthdays of close
family relatives, 87 per cent of those over the age of 50 could remember the
details, compared with 40 per cent of those under the age of 30.
Men came off worse than women. Only 55 per cent of men could remember their
wedding anniversary, compared to 90 per cent of women.
Posted: 2007533@419.67
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rlp
Phone numbers and birthdates are not the most interesting things to remember. I
use my memory for more meaningful information.