Memory is not always reliable from "summary" of Your Brain Is Playing Tricks on You by Albert Moukheiber
Our memories are not as concrete as we might think. They are not like video recordings that we can play back with perfect accuracy. Instead, our memories are reconstructed every time we recall them, and this process leaves room for error. When we remember something, we are not accessing a perfectly preserved mental snapshot of the past. Instead, we are piecing together fragments of information stored in various parts of our brain. These fragments can be influenced by our emotions, beliefs, and other memories, leading to distortions. One common way our memories can be unreliable is through a phenomenon called confabulation. Confabulation is when our brains fill in gaps in our memories with false information that seems plausible. This can happen without us even realizing it, leading us to believe in false memories. Another factor that can affect the reliability of our memories is suggestion. When we are exposed to new information or suggestions, our memories can be altered to fit these new details. This is why eyewitness testimony, for example, can be so unreliable, as our memories can be easily influenced by leading questions or external cues. Furthermore, our memories can be influenced by our current beliefs and biases. When we recall a memory, we might unintentionally alter it to fit our current worldview. This can lead to the distortion of past events and the creation of false memories that align with our beliefs.- Our memories are not always as reliable as we might think. They are reconstructive and subject to distortion, influenced by our emotions, beliefs, and external suggestions. Understanding the fallibility of our memories can help us be more critical of our recollections and more cautious in relying on them as absolute truths.
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