Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExamplesCausesRisk FactorsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Examples
Causes
Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people have memory distortions, but emotional states, health, age, and environment can all affect how things are remembered.
False memories are memories that seem real but are not based in reality. Everyone has false memories at times because the human brain doesn’t usually record events with the detailed accuracy of a device.
Instead, people are more likely to remember the stories or the “gist”(substance of information) of an event.
Most of the time, false memories aren’t a cause for concern. And gist memory can help us make complex decisions and adapt to our surroundings. Also, a false memory in one situation doesn’t mean false memories will occur elsewhere.
How accurately something is remembered can depend on several factors. These include your emotional or physical state when recalling or reliving a memory, whether someone else is affecting the memory, and circumstances like stress, mental health issues, or trauma. Trauma during an event can also affect whether a memory is retained right after the event occurs or if it is buried until a later time.
This article covers false memories, how they occur, and when they are a concern.
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Examples of False Memories
False memories can happen for several reasons, including:
Studies show autobiographical false memories, or stories that we tell about ourselves that aren’t true, can range from harmless to serious. They might include:
Age and False MemoriesWhile it might seem like children would create more false memories than adults, research indicates otherwise.A 2019 review of studies found that children seemless likely to create false memories, and, at times, they are less vulnerable to false memories.The research supported the idea that children can be accurate witnesses in court settings.
Age and False Memories
While it might seem like children would create more false memories than adults, research indicates otherwise.A 2019 review of studies found that children seemless likely to create false memories, and, at times, they are less vulnerable to false memories.The research supported the idea that children can be accurate witnesses in court settings.
While it might seem like children would create more false memories than adults, research indicates otherwise.
A 2019 review of studies found that children seemless likely to create false memories, and, at times, they are less vulnerable to false memories.The research supported the idea that children can be accurate witnesses in court settings.
There are many potential causes of false memories, which are outlined below.
Sleep Deprivation
Losing sleep or not having sleep at all could increase false memories. Sleep deprivation can also raise the chance of memory distortions of facts that can be verified.
InterferenceInterference is when memories change because of newer memories or information we gain over time. Interference might be why people seem to lose some memories while continuing to gain new memories as they age. There are two types of interference:Retroactive interference:When new information interferes with remembering older memoriesProactive interference:When old memories interfere with new memories
Interference
Interference is when memories change because of newer memories or information we gain over time. Interference might be why people seem to lose some memories while continuing to gain new memories as they age. There are two types of interference:Retroactive interference:When new information interferes with remembering older memoriesProactive interference:When old memories interfere with new memories
Interference is when memories change because of newer memories or information we gain over time. Interference might be why people seem to lose some memories while continuing to gain new memories as they age. There are two types of interference:
High Suggestibility
High suggestibility is when a person is more vulnerable to believing false memories. It can happen for several reasons, including:
Emotional State
Depression, stress, andanxietycan all increase the likelihood of false memories.
Research has also found if someone is in a positive mood, they might be more likely to believe false memories, whereas a negative mood could make someone more alert to threats and less likely to believe false memories.
There are many risk factors for false memory, which are outlined below.
Traumatic Events and Repressed Memories
Traumacan increase memory distortions and can possibly suppress memories altogether. Some of these memories can seem to emerge at a later time.
In a 2021 study, researchers took pictures of the brains of trauma victims using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They found that participants had brain activity that showed signs of dissociation.Dissociationis when a person feels separated from events in their life and does not integrate them into their conscious awareness or identity. Some specialists suggested that if dissociation can be viewed in MRI scans, then the possibility that people do have repressed memories exists.
Natural Aging
We might be more likely to have false memories as we age. This is because new information and new memories can interfere with existing memories.This is a process called interference, and while it might appear to be a memory deficit, it’s part of gathering more memories.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What Is False Memory Syndrome/Recovered Memory?False memory syndrome (FMS) is a controversial label for repressed memories that are brought to the surface with the help of a therapist.The American Psychological Association advises against using the title and suggests the title“recovered memory”since there is evidence that recovered memories of abuse and trauma can be true.A recent review of trauma memory research also supports the idea that victims who recover memories could be telling the truth and that psychologists and law enforcement should support them.
What Is False Memory Syndrome/Recovered Memory?
False memory syndrome (FMS) is a controversial label for repressed memories that are brought to the surface with the help of a therapist.The American Psychological Association advises against using the title and suggests the title“recovered memory”since there is evidence that recovered memories of abuse and trauma can be true.A recent review of trauma memory research also supports the idea that victims who recover memories could be telling the truth and that psychologists and law enforcement should support them.
Summary
False memories are memories of events that don’t match reality. They can range from harmless childhood memories, like memories of a day at the park, to traumatic events or even false confessions of crime. Most people have some memory distortions, but trauma, pressure from others, stress, and mental health issues can increase their likelihood. Memories can also be repressed and appear later, and such memories can be false or true. As for the false memories of older people, what looks like a memory deficit might be new memories and information interfering with older memories.
A Word From VerywellThere are a number of factors that play into how we remember things. If an instance of false memory concerns you, keep in mind that most medical conditions get diagnosed based on patterns and not single episodes. Keep open communication with your healthcare provider if an issue with memory arises.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There are a number of factors that play into how we remember things. If an instance of false memory concerns you, keep in mind that most medical conditions get diagnosed based on patterns and not single episodes. Keep open communication with your healthcare provider if an issue with memory arises.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There are a number of factors that play into how we remember things. If an instance of false memory concerns you, keep in mind that most medical conditions get diagnosed based on patterns and not single episodes. Keep open communication with your healthcare provider if an issue with memory arises.
—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Learn More5 Differences Between Normal Forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s
It can be difficult to verify whether a memory is true or false without witnesses. On the other hand, each witness to an event could have a different experience. Records, like photographs and documents, and an awareness that false memories exist might help with identifying false memories.In a court of law, false memories can be negated with the help of evidence. Therapy might also help with exploring and recalling old memories.Learn MoreReminiscence Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
It can be difficult to verify whether a memory is true or false without witnesses. On the other hand, each witness to an event could have a different experience. Records, like photographs and documents, and an awareness that false memories exist might help with identifying false memories.In a court of law, false memories can be negated with the help of evidence. Therapy might also help with exploring and recalling old memories.
Learn MoreReminiscence Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Learn More9 Types of Mnemonics to Improve Your Memory
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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