Futureproof with Jonathan McCrea The science behind memory distortion
Aug 17, 2025
Ciara Greene, an expert in memory science and head of the Attention and Memory Laboratory at UCD, discusses the fascinating complexities of memory distortion, especially in legal contexts. She explains how memories are not merely retrieved but reconstructed, influenced by biases and narratives, affecting both complainants and the accused. Immunologist Lara Dungan and Tara Shine from Change By Degrees also touch on current science news, highlighting the implications of processing food and ethical dilemmas in health responses and conservation practices.
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Memory Is Reconstructed, Not Stored
- Memory is not a stored file but a reconstructive process rebuilt each time we remember.
- Ciara Greene explains we use cues, biases and past experience as scaffolding when reconstructing memories.
Personal Memory Swap At A Party
- Jonathan recounted repeatedly misremembering being overtaken in a toilet queue by Coolio until a friend corrected him.
- Ciara Greene notes this is common because we insert ourselves into mental images that make better stories.
Memory Often Is The Only Evidence
- In he-said-she-said sexual-assault cases memory often becomes the sole evidence.
- Ciara Greene highlights that memory fragility matters especially when physical evidence is absent.