The Invisible Gorilla

02How reliable is our memory really?

Ever found yourself in a heated argument with a friend about the details of a past event, only to realize later that your memory of it was not as accurate as you thought? Or perhaps you've been utterly convinced of a childhood memory, only to have your parents tell you it never happened. These instances are not as uncommon as you might think. They are a testament to the fallibility of human memory. Our memory is not a perfect recording of events. Instead, it's more like a jigsaw puzzle, piecing together fragments of information to form a coherent picture. But sometimes, the pieces don't fit perfectly, and our brain fills in the gaps with its own interpretations. This reconstructive nature of memory can lead to inaccuracies. For instance, in "The Invisible Gorilla," the authors recount an experiment where participants watched a video of a car accident. When asked about the speed of the cars, those who were asked "how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?" estimated higher speeds than those who were asked "how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?" The mere suggestion of a more violent collision influenced their memory of the event. Our memories are also influenced by our own biases and expectations. We are more likely to remember things that align with our existing beliefs and overlook those that don't. This is known as confirmation bias. For example, if you believe that a particular friend is always late, you are more likely to remember the times they were late and forget the times they were on time. Recalling a memory is not a passive process. Each time we recall a memory, we are essentially reconstructing it, and this can lead to distortions. This is known as the "misinformation effect." In one experiment in the book, participants watched a video of a car stopping at a stop sign. Later, some participants were asked questions that suggested the car had stopped at a yield sign. When asked later, these participants were more likely to remember the yield sign instead of the stop sign. Sometimes, our memories can be completely fabricated. This is known as "false memory." Suggestive questioning, misleading information, or even our own imagination can lead to the creation of memories of events that never happened. In one of the most striking examples from the book, participants were made to believe that they had been lost in a shopping mall as a child, an event that never happened. The implications of unreliable memory are far-reaching. In the context of eyewitness testimony, it can lead to wrongful convictions. In our personal lives, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. But being aware of the fallibility of our memory can help us make better decisions and judgments. It can make us more understanding of others and more critical of our own perceptions. In conclusion, our memory is not as reliable as we might like to think. It is influenced by external suggestions, our own biases, and even the act of recalling it. But by understanding its fallibility, we can navigate our lives with a more nuanced understanding of our own perceptions and experiences. So, the next time you find yourself in a disagreement about a past event, consider the possibility that your memory might not be as accurate as you think.

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