Memory Metaphor

Take a moment to reflect on whether the following statement is true or false: "Memory can be likened to a storage chest in the brain, into which we deposit material and from which we can withdraw it later if needed.  Occasionally, something gets lost from the 'chest,' and then we say we have forgotten.

Does that sound like an accurate memory metaphor?  If a chest is archaic, think of a computer.  Memories are files we store in our brain, just as we store files in a computer.  When we want to remember something, we pull the file out from our brain and review it.

Does that sound accurate?  This is not a trick question.  Have you made up your mind?

Most of you probably thought that the metaphor was accurate.  Is it?  To test it, try this thought experiment:

Close your eyes and recall a scene in which you experienced something pleasurable.  Don't read any further until you have finished replaying your experience.

Once you've replayed your experience, or re-lived your memory, scroll down....

Did you see yourself in that scene?  Most people do.  But if you saw yourself, then you must have reconstructed that scene (unless, of course, you were looking at yourself during the original experience.

Pretty cool, huh?  Pretty scary, too, when you realize that people go to prison based on the memories of eye-witnesses.  Further implications of memory are explored in The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making (available here).