Ever walk into a room and forget what you were doing? - Gabriel Radvansky
TED-Ed · Published on September 8, 2026
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Description
Dig into the phenomenon known as the doorway effect, where walking into a new space can make you forget what you were doing. -- You enter your living room, then pause. Uh-oh, what was it that you were doing? You feel your mission’s momentum wane, and its aim is suddenly lost. So, what just happened? Well, you’re not alone; this is a common memory lapse phenomenon scientists have termed the “doorway effect.” Gabriel Radvansky explores why walking into a new space can make you suddenly forget what you were doing. Lesson by Gabriel Radvansky, directed by Biljana Labović. Animation by Vanesa Souss: https://www.vanesasouss.com Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: http://t.ted.com/nlVpzFN Check out our merch: http://t.ted.com/upNeDi3 ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: http://t.ted.com/R7iMQzr Follow us on Facebook: http://t.ted.com/NKcsscO Find us on Twitter: http://t.ted.com/nXsWmpA Peep us on Instagram: http://t.ted.com/zuDVFXP ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ever-walk-into-a-room-and-forget-what-you-were-doing-gabriel-radvansky Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ever-walk-into-a-room-and-forget-what-you-were-doing-gabriel-radvansky/digdeeper Animator's website: https://www.vanesasouss.com ---------------------------------------------- Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, and Wes Winn.
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