Give an inquisitive answer about recollection of memories and not knowing if it was real or based on photos and stories told by us by others

Give textual evidence and cite from sources

Explain childhood memories and recollection of memories

1 answer

Do our childhood memories truly belong to us, or are they simply constructed from photos and stories told to us by others? How can we be certain of the authenticity of these memories?

One study conducted by researchers at the University of Portsmouth found that false memories can be easily implanted through suggestive questioning or exposure to misleading information. This suggests that our recollection of past events is not always reliable, and that memories can be influenced by external sources.

In her book "The Memory Illusion: Remembering, Forgetting, and the Science of False Memory," psychologist Julia Shaw discusses the malleability of memory and how easily it can be distorted through suggestion, leading to the creation of false memories. This challenges the notion that our memories are always accurate reflections of past events.

Therefore, when reflecting on childhood memories, it is important to consider the possibility that some of them may be based on photos and stories told by others rather than our own experiences. It is through critical examination and introspection that we can begin to separate the genuine memories from the fabricated ones.