I've often thought that a similar mechanism underlies people forgetting names right after and introduction. A new introduction creates at least some level of anxiety in most people (we want to make a good first impression for the sake of social acceptance), and so we turn our attention inward on ourselves just like the cat turns its attention on the mouse. The result is that attention to the outside world is reduced and the name or other details are forgotten. This holds true for any anxiety-provoking experience. Memory is severely degraded, to the point of complete black-outs of truly traumatic experiences. It could also be the mechanism that causes depersonalization-derealization (DPDR), which is a reaction to anxiety. The sensory experience of the outside world becomes attenuated and one feels detached from reality.