Can we trust our memories?
Memory is a complex and imperfect process. Sometimes we remember past events differently than how they originally happened. There are several reasons memory may be distorted. One is that memory is based on our current beliefs, emotions and knowledge. Another is that memories fade over time. Our biases and expectations can affect how we remember past events, too. Prototypes also have a significant impact on memory. But how much can we trust the authenticity of memories that are recalled through such ‘prototypical’ information?
With a little help from our own past
Scientists from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom examined this question and found that we can differentiate between accurate memories and memories full of general knowledge. The findings were published in the journal ‘Communications Psychology’. “We rely on our memories, particularly when they are of a one-off event, for example a birthday dinner,” explained lead author Dr Ben Griffiths, cognitive neuroscientist the University of Birmingham, in a news release. “But events that occur regularly, such as your commute to work, are streamlined by the brain to only retain the unique elements – some roadworks, perhaps, or a near-miss. The rest of the details are filled in from pre-existing knowledge.” He added: “We wanted to find out well people were able to recognise these generic or ‘prototypical’ memories, and how far they were able to trust their recollections.” In a series of experiments, over 200 participants were presented with objects in odd colours. After performing an easy maths task that served as a simple distraction, the volunteers had to recall and identify the object’s specific shade. Then they were asked to rate how confident they were in their answer. Results showed that the confidence in their colour choices fell when the colours were similar to the prototypical shades identified by a machine learning algorithm. This means that confidence in memory decreases when it involves more ‘prototypical’ information. As a result, this awareness enables people to accurately evaluate the reliability of their recollections.
The intriguing nature of our memories
“When it comes to facial recognition, we know that people struggle to distinguish accurate memories from prototypes,” stated Dr Griffiths. “We know less about how recollection of events can also be biased, but that is equally important when making decisions about how much to trust an individual’s recollection.” The study has implications that go beyond the fascinating science of memory. Being able to accurately and confidently recall a memory may lead to life-altering decisions. It could also have a major impact on law, especially eyewitness accounts. “Our research shows that people are actually quite good at knowing when their accounts are reliable and when they are influenced by their brain filling in gaps with generic information,” concluded Dr Griffiths.
Keywords
memory, prototype, prototypical, trust, past, recollection, decision, account