“Oh, I know this,” you might say.
“It starts with a B.”
Learn more about this state, including what causes it and what to do when it occurs.
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What Is the Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon?
Language is an incredibly complex process.
Most of the time, this process takes place so effortlessly that we barely give it a second thought.
Facts About Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon
This phenomenon can be frustrating to experience.
That said, one of its upsides is that it allows researchers to analyze differentaspects of memory.
Causes of the Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon
Why does lethologica or the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon occur?
Although the exact processes are not entirely clear, a number of factors appear to play a role.
For example, tip-of-the-tongue events are more likely to happenwhen people are tired.
Metacognitive explanations for the phenomenon suggest that tip-of-the-tongue states serve as a sort of alarm.
According to such explanations, tip-of-the-tongue moments are not in and of themselves a problem.
Some researchers view tip-of-the-tongue moments as a “unique form of memory success.
Others suggest that this phenomenon signals adecline in memory retrieval.
According to one study, experiencing tip-of-the-tongue states may even help predict diseases causing cognitive impairment, including dementia.
Still other researchers say that these moments are less about memory and more about the learning process.
What’s the best way to respond to lethologica or tip-of-the-tongue states?
Abrams L, Davis DK.The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon: Who, what, and why.
InCognition, Language and Aging.
Girija PC, Shahal NP, Narayanan N.Lethologica in aging: An analytical study.J Ind Acad Geriat.
2020;15(9):e0239327.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0239327
D’Angelo MC, Humphreys KR.Tip-of-the-tongue states reoccur because of implicit learning, but resolving them helps.Cognition.
