Recent advances in neuroscience have challenged the traditional view that human memory operates like a video recorder, faithfully storing every experience. Instead, research suggests that memory is a constructive process, where each recall involves rebuilding the past through the lens of present knowledge and biases. This reconstructive nature explains why eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, as memories can be subtly altered by post-event information, such as leading questions or media reports. Furthermore, emotional arousal appears to enhance the consolidation of certain memories while impairing others, creating a selective archive of our lives. These findings have profound implications for legal practices and therapeutic interventions, urging a more cautious approach to relying on subjective recall as objective truth.
❓ What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Memory works like a video recorder, accurately storing all experiences.
B. Emotional arousal equally enhances all types of memories.
C. Memory is a reconstructive process, making it potentially unreliable.
D. Eyewitness testimony is always trustworthy due to strong emotional engagement.
✅ Correct Answer
C. C. Memory is a reconstructive process, making it potentially unreliable.
