The false memories section of the chapter was the most interesting, yet most alarming part for me. The thought of someone having the ability to alter my memories and/or create new ones, while convincing me that the memory actually is real. Suggestibility is what really bothered me, especially with the case we read for Discussion Section this week. A man was hanged for a confessing a memory he did not have. It truly angered me. The flashbulb memories was something that really resonated as well. As soon as the question about the terrorist attacks on 9/11 was posed, I immediately recalled what I was doing when I learned of the attacks. Yet, after reading what the psychologists said, it made me second guess my memory, even though I am sure that I remember it accurately. However, that is exactly what the subjects studied thought as well. Basically, this chapter made me second guess everything I remember, which is kind of a terrifying feeling. No matter the amount of "Most of the time our memories work well"s that were present within the chapter, I am now probably going to mistrust most things related to recollection and memory.
False Memories
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While reading the section of flashbulb memories, I too, thought back to 9/11. I've actually had conversations with friends I knew back then and it was interesting how much we disagreed about that day - what class we were in, what we did the rest of the day, etc. I guess it goes to show how malleable memories really are.
I found this section very interesting also. I had a similar experience while reading this, I thought back to the day when I found out about 9/11 and where I was and what I did the rest of the day. I then called my mom to ask her if she shared the same memories as me and she did not. It was hard to decide who's memories were right because we both thought that we remembered it clearly.
This is an amazing section of this particular chapter! Again I find myself wondering how this could be possible. It seems incredible that I could remember sights sounds and colors of something that never happened, as if it had. Once again the book shows us (maybe similar to the placebo effect) how convincing our thoughts are if our brain gets tricked.
The thought that all my long-term memories could be false to some degree is definitely unsettling. I can recall where I was on 9/11 and what I was doing too, but it really can't ever be proven correct or not. Sometimes I am aware that the memory I am recalling to someone else may be a little different or exaggerated to make my story more interesting, but hey, I think we are all guilty of that at some point in our lives!