Kallie, Week 13: I Have the Memory of a Goldfish…It’s Better than You Think
You might be familiar with the idiom, “memory of a goldfish,” used to denote an exceptionally poor memory. Growing up, I was told that goldfish can only remember things for 7 seconds, and that is what I believed for much of my life.
But do goldfish really have such short memories?
Turns out, the answer is no. According to Henry Baker’s article, “Do Goldfish Really Have a 3-second Memory?”, not only do goldfish have “much longer memories—spanning weeks, months and even years,” but said memories are so impressive for fish, that they are often used as a “common model for studying memory and learning in fishes.”
One such study has shown that if goldfish are fed at only one side of their tank, then they will learn to stay at that side of the tank during feeding time, even if no food is actually given. They can also be taught to associate certain cues—a red paddle instead of a blue one, or even different types of bubbles and music—with food rewards.
Additionally, goldfish are “good problem-solvers and have been taught to escape nets and navigate mazes.” And to provide further evidence that goldfish have far better memories than most people give them credit for, they can remember how to repeat puzzle solutions weeks or months later.
And if all that is still not enough, goldfish can also remember and recognize other individual goldfish. Some pet owners even claim, based on anecdotal evidence, that their goldfish can distinguish them from other humans.
Much of this research has been around for 50 to 60 years, so why does the myth that goldfish have a poor memory still persist?
Culum Brown, an expert in fish cognition at Macquarie University, believes that it is partly because people do not or are not able to interact with fish in the same way they do other pets, and therefore it is more difficult for people to recognize their intelligence on their own. He also believes that some fault lies in “guilt from pet owners”; recognizing the intelligence of goldfish might make people more uncomfortable with putting goldfish in tiny bowls with no enrichment or companions.
Regardless of the reasons for the myth’s persistence, it is clear that it is still far too widespread given all the evidence that proves the contrary. Brown notes that there is some version of the myth—each with slight variance on the exact number of seconds that goldfish can allegedly retain information—in almost every part of the world.
No one is quite sure where this myth originated, but one thing is clear: goldfish do not, in fact, have the memory of a goldfish.
Hi Kallie! I enjoyed your, not only comedic but very informative, blog post, an interesting refreshing in comparison to the pieces we usually read. While reading your blog, I made multiple connections to the expression of the “memory of a goldfish,” as my father in good fun gave me the family nickname goldfish for my memory or lack thereof. However, I found your analysis on how this expression is fundamentally flawed fascinating, but not surprising. As I used to be a goldfish owner many years ago, and I recall I would feed my fish when I would get home and he would always remember and swim to the top waiting for me. Moreover, I found investigation on why such an expression is quite common even more insightful as I agree with your argument that it is more difficult to personally connect with a fish. I recall my grandmother would question why we kept a fish as a pet instead of a dog or cat which, in her view, is a more tangible pet. Thus, I find this a prime example of the psychological view many people have on fish which causes such phrases to be perpetuated despite their large inaccuracy.
ReplyDeleteHey Kallie, I found it interesting how you approached exploring the topic of memory through the medium of scientific literature. At first I was little confused for one reasons; I had never heard about the goldfish idiom before. After your explanation of what the idiom means, I found it significantly easier to read along and understand the direction and content of your blog. I also liked how you embedded quotes into your work as it helped establish ethos and logos. However, my favorite part about your blog was your exploration of how the idiom was popularized, this adds depth and complexity in your blog and prompts the reader to dive deeper into the discussion. One thing I would have done differently if I were you to improve the quality of your blog is to expand on your connection to the idiom. What I mean by this is that your hook of the blog was you being told that you have the memory of a gold fish, but the lack of explanation of this causes the hook to be weak. A vivid example of this occurring in your life would be a good way to make this work. Overall, I believe your blog effectively discusses the origins and validity of the idiom regarding the memory of a goldfish.
ReplyDeleteHi Kallie! I thought your blog was extraordinarily written. The well-thought-out organization—and the division of the text into logical and manageable paragraphs—enabled me to easily yet rigorously dive into your writing. Immediately inviting the audience, as you have done, is a fantastic way to get them engaged and foster curiosity; this strategy also pulls in readers who are on the edge of whether or not to dive deeper to read on. I think it is great that you clearly established that you did not just pick some topic out of the blue, but it is something that you have been connected with from a young age. Only then do you introduce your question and ultimately reveal what you plan to discuss. Secondly, you blend in numerous scientific studies flawlessly, while still managing to convey your message in a straightforward manner. I think this really demonstrates your skill as a writer, because I know that many of us get carried away and start explaining with complex language so that we best capture a source’s argument, but you show that this is very much unnecessary. Your conclusion was also nice and concise—you tie all your ideas together and answer the question you started off with.
ReplyDeleteHi Kallie! Your blog admirably challenges a pervasive misconception about goldfish memory, effectively dismantling the myth with well-supported evidence and expert insights. By drawing on Henry Baker's article and various studies, you provide a compelling case for the intelligence and memory capabilities of goldfish, demonstrating that they possess more cognitive abilities than commonly believed. Additionally, your exploration of the reasons behind the persistence of this myth, including insights from Culum Brown, adds depth to your analysis and allows readers to consider the broader implications of how we perceive and interact with pet fish. To further enhance your blog, consider incorporating a brief discussion of the implications of debunking this myth. For instance, you could explore how understanding the true nature of goldfish memory might influence pet care practices and attitudes toward fish as sentient beings. By diving into the potential ethical considerations and practical implications of this newfound understanding, you can encourage readers to reflect on their own relationships with pet fish and promote more informed and compassionate treatment of these creatures. Overall, your blog is well-written and I enjoyed reading it!
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