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False memoriesare misremembered, distorted, or fabricated recollections of past events.
Such memories can be trivial, such as mistakenly remembering where you put your car keys.
Effects of False Memories
False memories can have a wide range of effects.
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The following are just a few of the ways that researchers have shown false memories can alter behavior.
In other cases, false memories were created suggesting that people had tried certain foods and loved them.
After being influenced by false memories, participants changed their behaviors and attitudes toward foods.
This technique might also help alleviate anxiety ortreat psychological traumas.
Complicated Decision-Making
False memories can also have an impact on choice-supported remembering.
In many cases, people misremember their choices, complicating the decision-making process.
Studies have shown that most people misremember their original choices about end-of-life decisions.
Recap
Evidence suggests that false memories can impact behavior, including those related to health.
People are also prone to misremembering their own choices, which can have an effect on their future decisions.
In such instances, false memories have had a dramatic and disturbing impact on people’s lives.
People often read such stories and immediately think, “It could never happen to me.
I have an excellent memory.”
However, the evidence suggests otherwise.
Everyone has false memories, even if their memory is great.
In other words, there is no simple way to distinguish an accurate memory from a false one.
Even the most vivid, clear, and distinct memories can be faulty.
Perhaps more importantly, even those with excellent memories are susceptible to forming false memories.
The key is to realize that your memory is vulnerable to misinformation.
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