What's Up Docs? Daily Dose: False Memories
Jan 2, 2026
Dr. Linda Henkel, a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, dives into the fascinating world of false memories. She explains how our brains craft memories like a constantly edited Wikipedia page, leading to misremembered events. Discover why relying on external cues can help enhance memory and how dreams and real-life experiences can be indistinguishable to the brain. The discussion also highlights intriguing implications for New Year’s resolutions, showing how our memory errors might influence our goals for the year ahead.
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Hosts' Small Memory Mix-Up
- Xand mistakenly recalls they were recording sneezing, showing everyday false memories.
- This casual mix-up introduces the episode on false memories with a relatable example.
Brains Extract Generalities Not Recordings
- Memory errors are almost unavoidable because the brain extracts generalities rather than recording video-like details.
- Dr Linda Henkel explains we form schemas that blur events like one Thanksgiving into another.
Use Trusted Sources To Shape Safe Memories
- Use others' guidance to form useful protective memories about hazards.
- Remember that accepting trusted warnings (e.g., "those berries are poisonous") helps keep you safe.