by : BERNARD Amélie, JEANNOT-GOUPILLEAU Daisy et PIVAULT Camille
Introduction
The common preconception that our memory is infallible circulates widely in the general population. Currently, the majority of people are convinced that memory is failing only in the case of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease), or in cases of amnesic syndromes. However, when remembering past events (holidays, gatherings, parties, etc.), it happens frequently that the memory of a peculiar event is different from the one told by another person also present at this event. Then begins the debate about who is right. It is hard to admit that a memory, however vivid it can be, can be a distortion of reality or even an invention. Nevertheless this phenomenon exists and is named false memories.
What are false memories ?
Also known as “pseudo-memories” or “memory illusions”, false memories often correspond to transformed memories (distortions of memories) or to memories of events that never happened (created memories). It can be explained by our memories which are reconstructions and not exact reproductions of reality. Indeed, it is the meaning of the event that is stored in memory rather than the actual event. When reminded to consciousness, our memories are also vulnerable to transformations. Remembering an event involves mechanisms that reconstitute the memory from the real facts, our own meaning of this event, but also from other elements drawn from our personal history, our current and past emotional states, etc.
Interest of Research : Why do research on false memories ?
Some court cases illustrate the importance of knowing the existence of false memories. Indeed, in the 1990s, some people were wrongly accused and imprisoned (e. g., George Franklin in 1990) on the basis of eyewitnesses mere testimony. However in several cases of convictions, testimonies were actually false memories. In other words, the “facts” brought by the witnesses were unintentionally tinged with distortions and did not correspond to the reality of the events. Thereby knowing how memory works could help to better understand the creation of false memories and to prevent dramatic consequences in people lives.
Study of false memories and main results
Everyone creates false memories but some people are more likely to generate them. To study this phenomenon, two main paradigms are used : the Deese Roediger McDermott’s (Deese, 1959 ; Roediger & McDermott, 1995) (DRM) and the misinformation one’s (Loftus, Miller and Burns, 1978).
The DRM paradigm consists in presenting participants with a list of words semantically related to an inductive word (critical lure) which is not in the list. Follows a free reminder of this list. If the critical lure is recalled by the participant, then it is considered a false memory. Studies using this paradigm showed that older people produce more false memories (Taconnat & Rémy, 2006).
The paradigm of misinformation entails suggesting false information about an event that was previously presented to the subjects. If the veracity of this information is not questioned, or if it is recalled later, then it is a false memory. Studies using this paradigm have shown that children are particularly inclined to produce false memories (Ceci & Brick, 1993, cited by Corson & Verrier, 2013).
Interpretations of results from false memory studies
This tendency to produce more false memories can be explained by various factors. For example, in the elderly, a lack of control of the source has been demonstrated (Dodson, Bawa & Slotnick, 2007). In other words, they would find it more difficult to remember correctly the origin of an information stored in memory.
Children are also more sensitive to false memories. Impressionable, it is easier to suggest a false information that they will memorize as true, especially facing a figure of authority (Bruck & Ceci, 1999).
Conclusion
Studies carried out in the field of false memories have highlighted the involvement of many factors and mechanisms in their creation. Furthermore, researchers claim that we can reduce them by reinforcing contextual encoding. However, in the light of a large number of contradictory findings, it seems necessary to continue investigations on false memories. Moreover, as introduced previously, some people are more likely to produce false memories than others. Future researches should explore and explain those differences among people in relation to character.
Studies should ultimately enable to better understand the production of false memories to better take them into consideration and reduce them.
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