Memory Misconceptions

Memory Misconceptions

There are many rumors and ideas circulating about how memory works, but how many are correct? Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris took the liberty of debunking or supporting the many well-known theories on memory. The two reviewed several tests and experiments, then compared them to "common knowledge" about memory. They reviewed a previous experiment conducted by telephone on common misconceptions about memory. Subjects were asked to respond to a question by pressing keys on their phone to indicate their response. The results showed that the general public answered wrong on every 'common fact'. Every common concept that is widely accepted was proven to be wrong by experts. Some of the questions seemed to be common sense, such as "people suffering from amnesia typically cannot recall their own name or identity,", but are surprisingly not true. So, it is safe to say that one should disregard everything he or she thinks about memory before attempting to learn more.

False Memory

In the 1990s, victimized women and children participated in a trauma study that defined the malleability of memory. Studies conducted in labs prove that human memory can experience error when exposed to certain information. Some subjects watched an event and were then asked questions about the event. They were then fed incorrect information about the event and their memory of the event was altered enough to cause the subject to believe the altered event is the true event. Some subjects were shown digitally altered photos of themselves as a child during some event that did not actually happen. The subjects would then believe that the event actually happened and claim to remember it happening, even providing detail. Imagination techniques were successfully used to plant false, bizarre memories that did not happen. A continuing study on ways to differentiate between false and true memory is focusing on the consequences of memories. Would a false memory create the same psychological effects as a true memory? Maybe some people are more likely to develop false memories than others.

Trauma Memory/ Planted Memory

One thing you always remember with clarity is the moment tragedy strikes. Most people can describe a traumatic event down to the last detail; some are even able to describe what they were wearing at the time. Their memory of the event is flawless- right? In an article from Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Cara Laney and Elizabeth Loftus have this to say about memory, "Memory is malleable. Details can be distorted, and wholly false memories can be planted". An international survey conducted on doctorate-level US and British therapists showed that 91% believed it is possible for a client to believe they were horribly mistreated or abused as a child when nothing like that occurred. Why then, do humans feel as if traumatic memories are as clear as the moment they happened? Even more perplexing, some people completely forget about true and documented trauma. Another researcher interviewed 129 women with previously recorded cases of trauma and abuse. Of the 129, 49 failed to remember and confirm the cases of abuse that were on record. This indicates memory loss related to trauma is actually quite common. Memories seem to deteriorate over several years, though a person's confidence in the validity of the memory remains just as strong. What all of this proves is even when you think you know, chances are, you really don't. When one begins to question their own self and memories, how can sanity even be defined?

Memory Suppression/Repression

As stated before, the memory capabilities of the human mind are very versatile. If the brain can create enemies that never existed, it makes sense to say that the opposite is also true. If it can create, it can destroy or otherwise hide memories. This process is either repression or suppression, depending on how consciously aware a person is of the hidden memories. There has been some debate on the validity of memory suppression. Colleagues Anderson and Collin Green conducted an experiment on suppression, which is the conscious