MEPX
Chapter 3 of 10All chapters

Chapter 3 of 10

Memory

Reconstruction, not recording.

How it works

Memory is encoded, stored and retrieved, and it is rebuilt each time rather than played back. Every recall can alter the memory slightly.

  • Working memory holds only a few items at once.
  • Confidence in a memory is a poor guide to its accuracy.

False memories

People can be led to remember events that never happened, which is why eyewitness procedures and interview methods have been substantially reformed.