Repetition can create the illusion of accuracy in our memories from "summary" of The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris,Daniel Simons
When we hear something repeated multiple times, it can feel like the information is being confirmed and reinforced, leading us to believe that it must be accurate. This feeling of familiarity and consistency can trick our brains into thinking that the information is true, even if it is actually false. In the realm of memory, repetition can play a powerful role in shaping our recollections. The more we hear or see something repeated, the more likely we are to remember it and the more confident we become in the accuracy of our memory. This phenomenon can occur even when the information is incorrect or misleading. Our memories are not as reliable as we might think, especially when influenced by factors like repetition. The more we are exposed to a piece of information, the more likely we are to incorporate it into our memory and believe it to be true. This can lead to a false sense of confidence in the accuracy of our recollections. Repetition can create a sort of mental shortcut, making us feel like we know something simply because we have heard it multiple times. This shortcut can lead to errors in our memory, as we may mistake familiarity for accuracy. It is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on repetition in forming and recalling memories.- Repetition can be a double-edged sword when it comes to memory. While it can help reinforce important information, it can also create the illusion of accuracy in our memories. It is crucial to approach repeated information with a critical eye and to be mindful of the potential for distortion that can result from over-reliance on repetition.
