Nir And Far: Business, Behaviour and the Brain
Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Why Your Memory Isn’t as Reliable as You Think
Apr 28, 2025
Ever cringed at a long-forgotten embarrassment, only to realize your memory might be playing tricks on you? This discussion dives into the unreliability of memories and how they shape our narratives. It tackles the concept of self-gaslighting, prompting listeners to challenge their recollections. The conversation then shifts to meaningful productivity, emphasizing prioritizing genuine tasks over mere busyness. Empowering perspectives of the past are encouraged, helping individuals break free from self-criticism and grow.
08:06
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Quick takeaways
- Memories are not exact recordings; they are reconstructive processes influenced by emotions and biases, leading to potential distortion.
- Self-gaslighting can exacerbate negative self-perceptions, but strategies like reframing memories and keeping a wins journal can combat this cycle.
Deep dives
The Unreliability of Memory
Memories are not accurate recordings of past events; instead, they are reconstructions that can be influenced by current emotions, biases, and external information. Research by cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus illustrates how memories can be distorted, with studies showing that participants can recall entirely fictional events after exposure to misleading information. For instance, in one experiment, participants who viewed altered photographs recalled events that never occurred with vivid detail. This malleability of memory can skew personal narratives, leading individuals to perceive their past in ways that may not align with reality, ultimately shaping their self-identity and beliefs.
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