Can You Really Trust Your Memory? The Surprising Truth About How It Works
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Memories Are Not Perfect Recordings
Unlike a camera, the brain does not store memories as exact copies. Instead, it reconstructs events based on experiences, emotions, and biases, meaning details can be altered or lost over time.
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The Brain Fills In Gaps
When recalling a memory, the brain often fills in missing details with assumptions. This process, known as confabulation, can make people believe in completely false or exaggerated versions of events.
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Memories Can Be Altered
Studies show that even subtle suggestions can change how people remember events. This is known as the misinformation effect, where misleading details introduced later can reshape original memories.
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Emotions Shape Memory
Strong emotions, whether positive or negative, influence how we encode and recall memories. While emotional events are often remembered vividly, the details may still be inaccurate or exaggerated.
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Every Recall Alters The Memory
Each time you recall a memory, your brain rewrites it slightly. This means memories change over time, incorporating new information or becoming distorted, sometimes without you realising it.
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False Memories Feel Real
The brain can create entirely false memories that feel just as real as genuine ones. Studies show people can be convinced they experienced things that never actually happened through repeated exposure to false information.
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Memory & Perception Are Linked
Our memories are shaped by how we perceive events at the moment. Factors like attention, focus, and expectations influence what we remember, sometimes causing us to miss or misinterpret crucial details.
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Stress & Sleep Affect Memory
High stress and lack of sleep impair memory formation and recall. Stress hormones can interfere with encoding, while deep sleep is crucial for consolidating and strengthening long-term memories.
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Shared Memories Can Be Unreliable
Group discussions can lead to memory distortions. Hearing others’ versions of an event can influence and even overwrite personal recollections, leading to collective false memories.
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Memories Fade & Distort Over Time
Even well-remembered events can degrade over time. Details blur, mix with new experiences, and become less reliable. The more time passes, the more likely a memory is to be inaccurate.
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