Ever find yourself caught up in a vivid memory of an event that, you later realize with confusion, didn’t really happen the way you thought? According to new research by psychologists at the University of Warwick in the U.K., you are far from alone, CBS reports.
The study demonstrated that about half of individuals will come to believe a fictional event occurred if they are told about that event and then repeatedly imagine it happening.
More than 400 people participated in the study, led by professor Kimberley Wade.
The study experimented with implanting fake (but relatively harmless) memories, such as taking a childhood hot-air balloon ride, pulling a prank on a teacher, or causing trouble at a family wedding, into the minds of study participants. Researchers told them about the imaginary events as if they were real, and about 30 percent of participants appeared to “remember” it happening, even elaborating on how it occurred and describing details of what it was like. Another 23 percent showed signs of accepting the story to some degree, the researchers said.
Showing participants photos of the purported hot-air balloon ride actually diminished the chances that they would accept the account and develop false memory. The researchers theorize this could be because “such photos may serve to constrain imagination during efforts to recall the event, thus leading to lower memory formation.”
“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,” Wade said in a press statement. Read more at CBS.
{Matzav.com}
Case in point: HILLARY CLINTON! From her claim of being named after Sir Edmund Hillary, to dodging bullets in Afghanistan.
The emperor’s new memories. You never went along with something because you didn’t want to look as though you were the only one who didn’t remember? This study just indicates that most people don’t have the moral stamina, or the requisite self-esteem to stand by their beliefs and say, “No, I really don’t remember that ever happening, and stop trying to mess with my brain.”
I remember reading about that study before….