Schacter, Daniel L, Guerin, Scott A and St Jacques, Peggy L (2011) Memory distortion: an adaptive perspective. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15 (10). pp. 467-474. ISSN 1364-6613

PDF - Published Version Restricted to SRO admin only Download (568kB)

Abstract

Memory is prone to distortions that can have serious consequences in everyday life. Here we integrate emerging evidence that several types of memory distortions - imagination inflation, gist-based and associative memory errors, and post-event misinformation - reflect adaptive cognitive processes that contribute to the efficient functioning of memory, but produce distortions as a consequence of doing so. We consider recent cognitive and neuroimaging studies that link these distortions with adaptive processes, including simulation of future events, semantic and contextual encoding, creativity, and memory updating. We also discuss new evidence concerning factors that can influence the occurrence of memory distortions, such as sleep and retrieval conditions, as well as conceptual issues related to the development of an adaptive perspective.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF0180 Experimental psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF0309 Consciousness. Cognition Including learning, attention, comprehension, memory, imagination, genius, intelligence, thought and thinking, psycholinguistics, mental fatigue
Depositing User:	Peggy St Jacques
Date Deposited:	21 Jan 2015 07:37
Last Modified:	08 Mar 2017 08:15
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/52296

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update