Such memories may be entirely false and imaginary.
In reality, memory is very prone to fallacy.
Definitions of False Memory
How do psychologists define false memory?
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How do they distinguish it from other forms of memory fallibility?
Some common elements of false memory include:
False memory differs from simple memory errors.
What Causes False Memory?
She has also shown that these memories can become stronger and more vivid as time goes on.
Over time, memories become distorted and begin to change.
In some cases, the original memory may be changed so that incorporate new information or experiences.
False memories may even play a role in contributing to a largerMandela effect.
In other instances,false memories can have serious implications.
Who Is Affected by False Memories?
Loftus’s groundbreaking research has shown just how easily and readily false memories can form.
Some participants were asked ‘How fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?’
while others were asked the same question but the words ‘smashed into’ were replaced with ‘hit.’
Brainerd, CJ., & Reyna, VF.The Science of False Memory.New York: Oxford University Press; 2005.
Johnson, MK.False Memories, Psychology of.
), International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Elsevier; 2001.
Loftus, EF.Creating False Memories.Scientific American.
Loftus, EF & Pickrell, JE.The Formation of False Memories.Psychiatric Annals.1995;25:720-725.
