Is Recollection Memory Reliable

Words: 549

Pages: 3

Open Document

After reviewing all the videos, and listening to the lectures in class, I learned that eye witness testimonies are not reliable at all. The human brain is much more complex than I realized; especially when it comes to memory. Some people think of memory as a mental filing cabinet; where you can simply put information’s away and recall it whenever you feel like it. Unfortunately, these people would be wrong because memory is nowhere near that simplistic.
There are many ways people remember things but the most commonly known are recollection memory and constructive memory. There are also many ways to trick your brain to make you memorize something that was never there such as leading questions and the “interview, or the experimenter, effect”. …show more content…
There have been countless studies that revolved around recollection memory. For instance there was an experiment involving students that witnessed a mugging. After they were asked to describe the man, each student had a different answer. For example some students said that the man had brown hair others said he had blond hair, when the reality is that they could not see his hair because he was wearing a black tuque.
Constructive memory is another form of memory that is also unreliable. Because this form of memory involves making use of relevant information; in other words it’s basically filling in the blanks. When people try to remember things it’s almost impossible to remember everything; so they subconsciously insert details to paint a full picture in there head. Unfortunately, these details are not always true and therefore the recollection of the event is

Repressed: Psychological Trauma and Memories Essay

There can be confusion around validation for recovery of repressed memory, particularly from traumatic experience including sexual abuse. Such memories can help some clients understand the root causes to their emotional state. For others, these memories can be difficult to cope with. False memory can arise and be harmful for the client and the accuser. With this, pressing issues are not yet resolved. The term repression was used in the 19 century by Sigmud Freud, who used the term to refer dramatic…

Words 788 - Pages 4

The Long Goodbye Analysis

cold war hostility affect the character’s behaviours in the novel The Long Goodbye? In Ron Langer’s article “Combat Trauma, Memory, and the World War II Veteran” defines PTSD along with the historical synonyms of the psychological disorder. It also outlines the common symptoms, which include “intrusive recollection” and “avoidance/numbing” (Langer, Combat Trauma, Memory, and the World War II Veteran, p. 51). The article also goes into detail about when there are visible symptoms of PTSD in veterans…

Words 496 - Pages 2

Essay On Critical Thinking Aphorism

In this aphorism above, Bennett is explaining that without experiencing emotion one cannot fully gain knowledge. Going through the experiences and feeling the emotions that arise from an event are what are necessary for the brain to recall the memories that are created from the experience. Through emotions not only are we able to recognize the existence of the knowledge but, we are able to fully comprehend the reason for the existing knowledge. Without emotion, we are unable to reason through our…

Words 1164 - Pages 5

Forensic Psychology Essay

psychological factors influencing an eyewitness’ perception of the crime, such as reconstructive memory and weapon focus. Due to these psychological factors having a huge effect on how an eyewitness perceives a crime scene, eyewitness testimony is unreliable and the eyewitness identification system should be altered or there should be alternative methods for identifying the perpetrator of a crime. Memory does not work like a videotape, in fact it is a feature of human nature that does not store information…

Words 1305 - Pages 6

Memory Misinformation Examples

A person’s memory can easily be altered through misinformation. Although memory can be interpreted as the act or an instance of remembering/recollecting past experiences, having misinformation of past experiences can alter a person’s memory. Misinformation is information that was provided falsely or inaccurately. By having misinformation, it could lead to “false memories” about an event, person, or particular item which can alter a person’s memory from what had actually happened vs what he or she…

Words 880 - Pages 4

Memory: Memory and Long Term Memory Essay

Psychology Memory is a fragile process. Examine this statement with reference to psychological theory. There are many definitions of memory but the basic function is to retain and recall information. Psychologists have realised that memory is a major component in order to get by, not only to succeed in an academic or career orientated world but generally within life. Memory surrounds us in the form of birthdays, appointments, song lyrics, exams and even finding your way home. All that said memory is not…

Words 1913 - Pages 8

Memory and Long-term Memory Essay

Chapter 8: Memory * Reconstructing the Past * _______________________: Refers to the capacity to retain and retrieve information, and also to the structures that account for this capacity * The Manufacture of Memory * Unlike a tape recorder or video camera, human memory is * Highly _______________________: * Reconstructive * Often drawn from many sources * Source misattribution can occur * _______________________Memories * Some…

Words 1027 - Pages 5

Essay Repressed Memories

“Repressed memories are a figment of the imagination”. Critically discuss this statement. The concept of repression – which is the bone of contention between those who believe in the mission of recovery therapy and those who denounce it – presumes a peculiar power of the mind (Loftus and Ketchum, 1994). The current dispute regarding the existence of repression has mainly focused on whether people remember or forget trauma. Repression, however, is a multidimensional construct, which, in addition…

Words 5517 - Pages 23

Essay on Child Abuse and Forensic Interviewer

searching for any evidence pertaining to the crime, in order to gain justice and closure for the child victim (Malhotra, 2006). The forensic interviewer conducts a legally sound forensic interview that assists in the process of eliciting the child’s memories of the crimes committed against them by their offender. However, there are issues that are concerning to the multidisciplinary team such as their inability to share information among those who are assisting in the investigation. The concern between…

Words 6197 - Pages 25

Notes On Studying Memory

Studying Memory 1) Memory (T)-learning through experiences and thoughts over time. It is learning that has persisted. When I recall that I used to love the color pink when I was little. 2) Sensory Memory (T) this is the storage of material/information in your brain and the retrieval of that information. Sensory memory is only capable of retaining information for a very short period of time. It allows your eye to have a larger field of vision by remembering images that your eye has already focused…

Words 4108 - Pages 17