Memory Biases
Discover how cognitive biases influence our memory. Learn about cognitive distortions that affect recall and how past experiences shape current decisions.
Context Effect
Our memories and judgments are profoundly shaped by surrounding circumstances. What we recall—and how we interpret information—depends heavily on the environment, timing, and emotional state present when we learn or retrieve it.
False Memory Bias
Our minds often fabricate or distort memories, creating vivid recollections of events that never happened or occurred differently. These false memories feel just as real as genuine ones, making them particularly deceptive.
Hindsight Bias
We often claim events were predictable after they've happened. That nagging feeling of 'I knew it all along' can distort our memory of uncertainty and lead us to overestimate our forecasting abilities.
Misinformation Effect
Our memories are surprisingly fragile. When exposed to misleading information after an event, we often unknowingly incorporate these false details into our original memories, creating confident but inaccurate recollections.
Recency Effect
We tend to remember and heavily weigh the most recent information we encounter, often at the expense of earlier details. This can significantly skew our decisions, especially when evaluating complex situations over time.
Rosy Retrospection
Our minds paint the past with a deceptively positive brush, minimizing struggles and amplifying joys. This selective memory affects how we evaluate current situations and make future plans.