Laney et al false memories

To discuss the background of the Laney study

Memory is not always a factual recording of an event and can become distorted by other information both during encoding and after the event. There have bee many experiments within memory research that have demonstrated that memories can be distorted by information provided following an event

•Prior to this study, psychologists had focused on false beliefs and memories for negative or neutral events and experiences. 

•Braun et al (2002) found that it is possible to implant rich false memories by convincing participants that they had met Bugs Bunny at Disneyland (not possible because Bugs Bunny is a Warner Bros. creation).

•Possible consequences: It is possible that people with disorders such as phobias could have positive experiences implanted to help them overcome these disorders.