Don’t believe everything you hear: Almost HALF of us remember events that never happened

  • Researchers looked at studies of memory implantation in more than 400 people
  • In the studies, they asked to imagine and remember a range of fictional events
  • Around 50% of participants accepted the implanted memories as their own
  • The findings raise further doubts about the credibility of eyewitness statements used in court, and shed light on how people develop false beliefs

By RYAN O'HARE FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

When it comes to recounting the facts, your memory could play tricks on you.

A study has found that almost half of us are prone to remembering things that never happened.

Researchers at Warwick University showed that if people are told to repeatedly imagine a fictional event in their lives, around 50 per cent accepted that it did.

A study has found that almost half of us are prone to remembering things that never happened, casting doubts on the credibility of eyewitness statements in court (stock image)

A study has found that almost half of us are prone to remembering things that never happened, casting doubts on the credibility of eyewitness statements in court (stock image)

The findings raise further doubts about the credibility of eyewitness statements used in court, and shed light on how people develop false beliefs.

As part of the study, researchers looked at a number of memory implantation studies, in which people were provided with false memories as their own.

More than 400 people took part in the eight studies, and were asked to imagine a range of false events – including taking hot air balloon rides, playing pranks on a teacher, or creating havoc at a family wedding.

A meta-analysis of the results revealed that around 50 per cent of people believed, to some extent, they had actually experienced these ‘implanted’ events.

In the course of the studies, more than 400 people were asked to imagine a range of false events – including taking hot air balloon rides, playing pranks on a teacher, or creating havoc at a family wedding

In the course of the studies, more than 400 people were asked to imagine a range of false events – including taking hot air balloon rides, playing pranks on a teacher, or creating havoc at a family wedding

IMPLANTING FALSE MEMORIES 

Researchers looked at eight studies in which 'memory implantation' was carried out in 423 study participants.

They were asked to remember a range of scenarios and repeatedly recall the event.

Through this process, the researchers hoped to 'implant' false memories.

A review of these studies showed that more than half of participants could recall the false memory - almost 11 per cent of which had a full memory, embellished with their own details.

The authors say their findings reinforce the importance of teaching people how changeable memory is.

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Just under one third (30 per cent) appeared to 'remember' the event – accepting the suggested event and embellishing it with their own details, even describing images of what it was like.

While another 23 per cent of people showed signs they accepted the implanted memory as their own to some degree, believing it really happened.

Dr Kimberley Wade, a psychologist from the University of Warwick said: ‘We know that many factors affect the creation of false beliefs and memories ­– such as asking a person to repeatedly imagine a fake event or to view photos to ‘jog’ their memory.

‘But we don't fully understand how all these factors interact. Large-scale studies like our mega-analysis move us a little bit closer.’

‘The finding that a large portion of people are prone to developing false beliefs is important.

‘We know from other research that distorted beliefs can influence people's behaviours, intentions and attitudes.’  

Writing in a paper in the journal Memory, the authors conclude: 'Our results reinforce how important is it to continue educating people about the malleability of memory.' 

SHOCK CAN DISTORT MEMORIES

Memory can be altered by stress, distorting how past events are perceived

Memory can be altered by stress, distorting how past events are perceived

Our memories of the past can be distorted by powerful emotions and pain, according to research.

Psychologists have found that giving small electric shocks to volunteers was enough to distort their memories of things they had seen in the past.

The findings will increase concerns about the reliability of eyewitness accounts during court cases from people who have suffered traumatic experiences.

The research shows that our memories of a seemingly ordinary event can be altered should we experience a powerful emotion like fear in connection with similar events at a later date.

Writing in the journal Nature, Professor Elizabeth Phelps, a psychologist at New York University who led the work, said: 'Humans and other animals continuously monitor the environment, accumulating countless details.

'Much of this information is forgotten. However, meaningful events can selectively preserve memory for previously encountered information that seemed insignificant at the time it was encoded.

'We found that memories for neutral information can be enhanced by a future emotional event that involves conceptually related material.' 

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