Researcher Chris Moulin, PhD, explores the mysteries of déjà vu and jamais vu, revealing why they happen, how they relate to memory, and their prevalence in young people. He discusses lab studies on these phenomena, their ties to memory, and the potential educational implications of understanding them.
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Quick takeaways
Deja vu may indicate a healthy memory at work, while jamais vu can offer insights into cognitive challenges.
Young people are more prone to experiencing deja vu, which can be triggered by novelty and travel experiences.
Deep dives
Types and Triggers of Deja Vu
Deja vu is often triggered by new places or conversations, leading people to feel like they've experienced the same situation before. Researchers suggest that fatigue, stress, travel, and youthfulness can also increase the likelihood of experiencing deja vu. Interestingly, the more novel places individuals visit, the more frequent the sensation of deja vu becomes, indicating a strong link between travel and its triggers.
Age Discrepancy in Deja Vu
Younger individuals tend to experience deja vu more frequently than older adults. Contrary to the assumption that memory declines with age, research suggests that as individuals grow older, minor cognitive changes affect their certainty about past experiences. This uncertainty manifests as a feeling of repetition or hesitation, leading to fewer instances of deja vu while aging.
Chronic Deja Vu in Medical Conditions
Individuals with conditions like epilepsy and dementia can exhibit chronic deja vu, where they constantly perceive everything as familiar. Such patients may struggle to distinguish between actual memories and distorted perceptions. This continuous sense of repetition can be distressing and challenging for both the individuals experiencing it and their caregivers.
Research on the Subjective Experience of Deja Vu
Current research focuses on exploring deja vu in children to understand its onset and familial patterns. By studying the metacognitive aspects of deja vu, researchers aim to elucidate the significance of these experiences in cognitive development. There is an emphasis on creating awareness about subjective cognitive phenomena early in education to enhance learning and cognitive awareness.
The eerie sensation of “déjà vu” -- feeling a strong sense of familiarity in a new place or situation -- is one of memory’s strangest tricks. Researcher Chris Moulin, PhD, of Grenoble Alpes University, talks about why déjà vu happens; why both déjà vu and its lesser-known opposite, jamais vu, may actually be signs of a healthy memory at work; why young people are more prone to déjà vu; how he and others study déjà vu and jamais vu in the lab; and what these experiences can teach us about memory more broadly.