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Related Concept Videos

False Memories01:18

False Memories

False memories represent a cognitive distortion in which individuals recall events that did not happen, or remember them in an altered form. This phenomenon highlights the brain's constructive nature in processing and recalling memories, emphasizing that memory is not a perfect representation of past events but rather a dynamic reconstruction influenced by various factors.
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
Repressed Memory01:16

Repressed Memory

Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
Implicit Memories01:24

Implicit Memories

Implicit memories, also known as non-declarative memories, are long-term memories that function outside of conscious awareness. These memories influence behavior and skills without explicit knowledge. This type of memory is evident in tasks like playing tennis, snowboarding, and texting. Implicit memory has three subsystems: procedural memory, conditioning, and priming. This type of memory is essential in various activities, from everyday tasks to specialized skills.
One key aspect of implicit...
Eyewitness Memory01:22

Eyewitness Memory

Eyewitness memory refers to the recollection of events by someone who has directly witnessed them, often serving as critical evidence in legal settings. This type of memory is commonly used in criminal cases where a witness describes details like a suspect's appearance, clothing, or behavior during a crime. However, despite its perceived reliability, eyewitness memory is prone to significant errors.
One such error is memory distortion, which occurs because human memory does not function like a...
Traumatic Memory01:20

Traumatic Memory

Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
Autobiographical Memory01:14

Autobiographical Memory

Autobiographical memory is a unique type of episodic memory that involves recollecting personal life experiences. It allows individuals to remember significant events from their past, creating a narrative of their lives. One interesting phenomenon related to autobiographical memory is the reminiscence bump. This effect refers to the tendency of adults to recall more events from their second and third decades of life — typically between ages 10 to 30 — than from other periods. This period is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) Task: A Simple Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate False Memories in the Laboratory
07:26

The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) Task: A Simple Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate False Memories in the Laboratory

Published on: January 31, 2017

Nonbelieved memories.

Giuliana Mazzoni1, Alan Scoboria, Lucy Harvey

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom. g.mazzoni@hull.ac.uk

Psychological Science
|August 7, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Many people have vivid autobiographical memories of events they no longer believe occurred. This study reveals nonbelieved memories are common, sharing qualities with believed memories but featuring more negative emotions.

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Investigating the Neural Mechanisms of Aware and Unaware Fear Memory with fMRI
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The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) Task: A Simple Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate False Memories in the Laboratory
07:26

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Published on: January 31, 2017

Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories
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Investigating the Neural Mechanisms of Aware and Unaware Fear Memory with fMRI
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Investigating the Neural Mechanisms of Aware and Unaware Fear Memory with fMRI

Published on: October 6, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Memory Studies

Background:

  • Autobiographical memory research traditionally focuses on believed events.
  • Phenomenon of nonbelieved memories previously documented through anecdotes (e.g., Jean Piaget).
  • Lack of empirical data on the prevalence and characteristics of nonbelieved memories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To empirically investigate the prevalence of nonbelieved autobiographical memories.
  • To compare the characteristics of nonbelieved memories with believed memories.
  • To explore implications for autobiographical memory conceptualization and the false-memory debate.

Main Methods:

  • Survey-based empirical study.
  • Recruitment of an initial sample for memory reporting.
  • Analysis of participants' ratings on memory qualities and emotional content.

Main Results:

  • Nonbelieved autobiographical memories are more common than previously assumed.
  • Approximately 20% of the sample reported at least one nonbelieved memory.
  • Nonbelieved memories share recollective qualities with believed memories but involve more negative emotions.

Conclusions:

  • Findings challenge traditional views of autobiographical memory.
  • Nonbelieved memories represent a significant aspect of human memory.
  • Results contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding false memories and memory accuracy.