Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
09:13
A Real-world What-Where-When Memory Test
Published on: May 16, 2017
12.1K
Fictional First Memories.
Shazia Akhtar1, Lucy V Justice2, Catriona M Morrison3
11 Department of Psychology, City, University of London.
Psychological Science
|July 18, 2018
Summary
Many people report early memories, but this study found nearly 40% of first memories were encoded before age 2. This challenges the typical understanding of childhood amnesia and early memory formation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Memory
Background:
- The established view suggests childhood amnesia, with few memories recalled before age 2.
- Typical mean age at encoding for earliest memories is around 3 years old.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age of encoding for first memories in a large sample.
- To examine the prevalence of early memories (before age 2) and compare them to later memories.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale survey of 6,641 respondents.
- Respondents provided descriptions of their first memory and age at encoding.
- Participants completed memory judgments and ratings.
Main Results:
- The mean age at encoding for first memories was 3.2 years.
- Nearly 40% of first memories (2,487 respondents) were dated to age 2 or younger.
- 893 memories were dated to age 1 or younger.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the established view of childhood amnesia.
- A significant proportion of reported first memories may be improbable or fictional.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these early memory reports.
Related Concept Videos
01:23System of Memory
7.4K
Memory is categorized into three major systems: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). These systems differ in their capacity and the duration for which they can hold information. Sensory memory captures raw sensory input from the environment, holding it for just a few seconds or less. For example, on hearing a brief, loud sound, like a car horn honking, the sound seems to linger in the mind for a moment even after it stops. This is an instance of sensory memory...
7.4K
01:24Working Memory
902
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
902
01:18Long-Term Memory
697
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
697
01:20Traumatic Memory
591
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...
591
01:16Repressed Memory
526
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...
526
01:23Immunological Memory
16.9K
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
16.9K