What it is
Memory is the brain’s system for encoding, storing, and reconstructing experiences.
It is not a fixed recording of reality.
How it works
When you recall a memory:
- The brain reconstructs the event
- Details can shift slightly each time
- Emotional context can influence accuracy
Memory is dynamic, not static.
Why it matters
This explains:
- Why eyewitness testimony can be unreliable
- How false memories form
- Why confidence does not guarantee accuracy
Memory is shaped by reconstruction, not playback.
Analogy
Memory is like repeatedly photocopying a document.
Each copy is slightly less detailed than the original.
