The Memory Boosting Effects of Novelty

Imagine spending your last days in a senior home. All days seem equal and you start re-experiencing events from earlier in your life to keep your brain occupied. Going outdoors has become a rarity and visiting new places is out of the question (something to which all of us can currently relate, given COVID-19). This is very unfortunate, as research has shown that new experiences can promote learning and improve longevity.

In this lecture, Judith Schomaker will discuss the importance of subjecting yourself to new experiences. What exactly is the effect of new experiences and new environments on our brain? What should these experiences look like? And how do they affect our cognition and learning capacity?