Keywords
false memories
false beliefs
suggestibility
How to Cite
Abstract
Memory is a reconstructive process in which different memories seek to form a coherent autobiographical narrative. Still, these memories seem to be not entirely accurate, since years of research have found that people tend to recall their past events differently from what happened, or even mention memories of events that did not occur. After considering autobiographical memory as the greatest human ontogenetic achievement, the question concerning the existence of such an imprecise phenomenon, as it is that of false memories, arises. The present theoretical study reviews the main scientific evidence regarding the existence of false memories, discusses its etiology and delves into its potential adaptive role.
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