On the existence and implications of nonbelieved memories

Otgaar, Henry; Scoboria, Alan; Mazzoni, Giuliana

Abstract

In this article, we review the state of knowledge about a previously-assumed-to-be-rare memory phenomenon called nonbelieved memories. Nonbelieved memories are a counterintuitive phenomenon in which vivid autobiographical memories are no longer believed to have happened even though vivid recollective features remain present. Such memories stand in contrast to the more typical situation that when events are recollected they are also believed to have genuinely occurred. We review data on the frequency, characteristics, and factors that contribute to the development of naturally occurring and laboratory-induced nonbelieved memories and discuss the relationships of nonbelieved memories with theories of autobiographical remembering and the study of remembering in applied domains.

Citation

Otgaar, H., Scoboria, A., & Mazzoni, G. (2014). On the existence and implications of nonbelieved memories. Current directions in psychological science : a journal of the American Psychological Society, 23(5), 349-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414542102

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 8, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 15, 2014
• Publication Date: Oct 11, 2014
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2015
• Journal: Current directions in psychological science
• Print ISSN: 0963-7214
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-8721
• Publisher: Association for Psychological Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 349-354
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414542102
• Keywords: Memory, Nonbelieved memories, Autobiographical, Belief, False memory, Omission
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/373215
• Publisher URL: http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/23/5/349
• Additional Information: Author's accepted manuscript of article published in: Current directions in psychological science, 2014, v.23 issue 5.