Do you really know? Why does walking through doorways make us forget things?
Jan 21, 2026
Ever walked into a room and forgotten why? This common experience is known as the doorway effect, proven by studies from Notre Dame researchers. It turns out, our brains can shift focus when we cross a threshold, leading to forgetfulness. But don't stress! This phenomenon is perfectly normal and not a sign of cognitive decline. To combat it, simple tips like carrying a reminder or mentally rehearsing your goal can help keep your memory intact.
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Doorways Create Event Boundaries
- The doorway effect is a documented memory phenomenon shown in lab studies by Gabriel Radvansky and colleagues.
- Moving between rooms acts as an event boundary that impairs recall for items linked to the previous environment.
Event Updating Explains The Effect
- Researchers propose 'event updating' as the likely mechanism behind the doorway effect.
- The brain drops information tied to the prior environment and refocuses on the new one after crossing a boundary.
Not Just Physical Doorways
- Doorways function as 'event boundaries' and similar memory lapses occur with other context switches.
- Switching browser windows or someone entering the room can produce the same forgetting effect.