Wade, Kimberley A. and Laney, Cara. (2008) Time to rewrite your autobiography? Psychologist, Vol.21 (No.7 ). pp. 588-593. ISSN 0952-8229

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Abstract

Autobiographical memory is the “diary that we all carry about” said Oscar Wilde. Autobiographical memory defines us. And because autobiographical memory is the foundation on which we build our identity, we like to believe that our memories are accurate, comprehensive and robust. Anything else would challenge our sense of self. But over the previous decade, psychological scientists have shown that autobiographical memory can be inexact, sketchy and frail. Various suggestive techniques can encourage people to generate memories of whole events that never happened. And these illusory memories are often held with great confidence, emotion, clarity, and vividness—but they are not real. In this article, we discuss research showing that suggestion can create false memories and change our autobiography.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Alternative Title:	Warning: your most treasured childhood memory may be false
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Autobiographical memory, Recovered memory, False memory syndrome
Journal or Publication Title:	Psychologist
Publisher:	British Psychological Society
ISSN:	0952-8229
Date:	July 2008
Volume:	Vol.21
Number:	No.7
Page Range:	pp. 588-593
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Version or Related Resource:	Original title: Warning: your most treasured childhood memory may be false.
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/391

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