Memory Can Be Shaped

For many years, I’ve maintained a journal since the fourth grade. Revisiting those entries often reveals discrepancies between what I documented and what I currently recall. My memories have shifted over time for various reasons.

I am not alone in this; my journal simply provides a tangible record of my life. Everyone struggles with perfect recall because human memory is easily swayed. A 2004 study demonstrated that memories can be altered by the questions posed immediately after an event.

> "The findings indicate that inquiries made shortly after an event can introduce new—though not necessarily accurate—information, which can then be integrated into the existing memory of the event, leading to its reconstruction or modification."

Being a verbal thinker, journaling aids my processing. I often discuss my issues with friends or family, which might also influence my recollection. Typically, the minute details of an experience are less significant than the overall impression and outcome, allowing us to relate similar situations in the future.

Schema Frameworks

Think about familiar situations in your life, such as dining at a restaurant. Regardless of the venue, you anticipate a particular sequence of events upon arrival.

For example, you might check in with a greeter, who takes your name and party size. Once seated, you receive a menu, place your order, and the wait staff delivers your meal. After enjoying your food, you pay and either take home leftovers or leave them behind.

This predictability arises not only from repeated experiences but also from the mental frameworks, known as schemas, our brains create to forecast events and understand their significance. While this is generally beneficial—preventing us from being surprised during outings—it can sometimes distort our memories. For instance, you might forget your leftovers if you usually finish your meal, or misremember your order when recounting the story later.

Egocentric Bias

It’s intriguing how individuals can experience the same event yet remember it in completely different ways. Each person may accurately recall their experience, even when it contradicts another's account.

For instance, in a group project, you might be fully aware of your contributions but only hear about those from others. This happens because we only perceive our subjective experience. Therefore, you may place greater importance on your role due to its vividness in your memory. This is known as egocentric bias.

Egocentric bias occurs when we overly rely on our perspective or struggle to see things from another’s viewpoint. This cognitive bias can lead us to over- or underestimate how different someone else's experience may be from ours.

Essentially, egocentric bias reflects how our self-perception shapes our worldview, influencing both our decisions and information processing. For example, if you're new to a gym, you might feel self-conscious, leading to an exaggerated belief that others are judging you, when in reality, they’re likely focused on their own experiences.

Recognizing and understanding how egocentrism affects our perceptions is crucial.

Perspective Shift

Modern technology allows us to capture memories with impeccable accuracy. After posting a college video on Facebook, I can watch it years later unchanged. We have developed numerous methods for preserving moments from our past in their most perfect form.

However, memory does not function in that way. It isn’t meant to be a rigid or unchanging record; instead, its primary function is to aid in decision-making and future predictions. Our memories need to be adaptable, evolving over time as we learn and forget irrelevant details. To flourish and grow, we must accept that we sometimes need to release what we've learned from the past.

This article first appeared in the author’s newsletter, Curious Adventure, and was later edited and republished on Medium with permission.

Katrina Paulson delves into humanity's mysteries, grappling with unanswered questions and emerging insights. She shares her reflections on Medium and through her newsletters, including the free Curious Adventure Newsletter and the comprehensive Curious Life. Subscribing grants access to her writings and an archive of content available around the clock. Subscription fees support Katrina in pursuing her passions and sharing her discoveries with you. Thank you for your readership—your support is appreciated.

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