How is a false memory defined?

A false memory is characterized as a recollection that is believed to be true but is distorted or fabricated. This phenomenon occurs when an individual confidently remembers an event or detail that either did not occur or did not happen in the way they recall. False memories can arise from various influences, including suggestion, misinformation, or the integration of imagined events into one's memory.

Research in cognitive psychology shows that memory is not a perfect recording of our experiences but rather a reconstructive process. This means that memories can be influenced by post-event information, social suggestions, or personal biases, leading to inaccuracies in what a person may confidently believe to be true. This highlights the complicated nature of memory, illustrating that recollections are not always reliable, which is why this definition of false memory captures its essence effectively.

The other options do not describe false memories accurately. Genuine recalls refer to accurately remembering real events, while clear and accurate recollections emphasize fidelity to past experiences, which contradicts the concept of false memories. The idea that false memories are an inevitable result of the memory consolidation process is misleading, as not all memories become distorted; many are preserved accurately without alteration.