Memory feels like a mental video archive, but psychologists have shown it behaves more like a creative editor, constantly rewriting the script. That is why people can be absolutely certain they ...

There isn’t a hard line differentiating a false memory and simply misremembering where you put your keys. But, in general, false memories are completely made up rather than a small memory error. In ...

False memories cause real problems. A false identification sends an innocent person to prison. A false childhood memory can disrupt a family. But what if there are ways to reverse false memories? What ...

Ever wake up convinced something happened that actually didn’t? That vivid memory of a conversation with your friend, a movie you’re sure you watched, or an event that feels completely real but never ...

When intrusive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feature inaccurate memories, you may have false memory OCD. As with other subtypes of OCD, medication and psychotherapy can help treat ...

Source: Matthew Baxter, used with permission. In the recent court case of British former socialite and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, her legal team called in a false memory expert. False ...

Research highlights how collective false memories, a mystery that pushes the boundaries of science, challenge our understanding and defy explanation. Nelson Mandela, renowned freedom fighter and ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Deepasri Prasad, Dartmouth College and Wilma Bainbridge, University of Chicago (THE ...

How much can we trust our memories? We know that our mind keeps an imperfect record of the past. We can forget or misremember details, with frustrating consequences. Our attention can be diverted in ...