Impact of Social Interaction on Memory
Memory is not merely a mechanism for storing information; it aids in retaining information that may be useful for reducing future effort. For instance, when significant effort is invested in a task, it is more likely to be remembered later. Memory encoding mechanisms use this effort as a signal that learning about the situation will likely facilitate dealing with similar situations in the future.
Social information is a type of information that can guide what to remember. When encountering two people in a train station looking in different directions, it may not seem worthwhile to remember their proximity. However, if those individuals are engaged in a friendly conversation, it seems more useful to remember their interaction.
A study published in 2025 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General by Zhongqiang Sun and colleagues explored whether it is easier to remember pairs of faces when they are socially interacting. Participants viewed pairs of faces either facing each other or facing away. Initially, they performed simple tasks like judging which face appeared older or estimating the distance between faces.
After a short interval, participants were given a surprise memory test to determine if they had seen the pairs together before. Participants consistently recalled pairs facing each other more accurately than those facing away.
As a control, some studies used pairs of inanimate objects with clear directional orientation, such as arrows or electric fans. No memory difference was found for these items based on orientation, suggesting the importance of social interaction. Another study involving pairs of happy or angry faces showed a memory advantage for happy faces facing each other, indicating a positive relationship.
These studies suggest that social interaction information serves as a cue for memory retention. Remembering pairs with positive interactions is more valuable, possibly because such pairs are more likely to be encountered again, facilitating future interactions.