Your memory might not be as reliable as you think. Around 50 percent of people are prone to “remembering” experiences that never happened, according to a new study conducted by British researchers.
Researchers at the University of Warwick conducted an experiment in which they convinced about half of their test subjects that an implanted, or fake, memory was actually real. 30% of participants even elaborated on the fake memory, describing further in depth on what the nonexistent event was like.
Dr. Kimberley Wade, the study’s author, found that distinguishing between real events and false memories wasn’t easy, even in a controlled environment. The results raise many questions about the reliability of people’s memories, because the risk of false memories should be taken into account in situations such as forensic investigations, court rooms and therapy sessions, the researchers said.
Researchers also noted the possible impact of false news stories on collective memories. Fake news can create incorrect memories for large groups of people, potentially affecting attitudes of society.
Wade told Health.com, that “the finding that a large portion of people are prone to developing false beliefs is important. We know from other research that distorted beliefs can influence people’s behaviors, intentions and attitudes.”
Photo: geralt, CC-BY
Jane Snyder is a health intern with Paste and a freelance writer and photojournalist based out of Athens, Georgia.