Déjà vu is when you find yourself in a novel or foreign situation only to feel that you’ve been there before. There are multiple explanations for this, ranging from a memory-encoding error to a simple forgotten exposure or a miscommunication in the brain’s different memory systems. What is the real cause? We can’t say yet for certain, but we can say that it doesn’t allow us the gift of precognition, as some have theorized.

False and implanted memories are another problem. You might assume that the only ways our memories can change are due to the passage of time. Unfortunately, our memories are simply not set in stone. They are incredibly malleable and flawed and can’t easily distinguish what happened in reality. Thus, it is easy to create false memories and it becomes difficult to find the accurate perspective.

Finally, the more confident we are in our memories, the less accurate they tend to be. This is shown with flashbulb memories, which are moments of time that seem to be vivid in detail and usually spurred on by an emotional impact. The problem is that when we are emotional, we are prone to thinking in ways that are anything but clear, measured, and accurate. Even though we feel like these flashbulb memories are untouchable, they decay at the same rate as normal memories

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Brain Blunders: Uncover Everyday Illusions and Fallacies, Defeat Your Flawed Thinking Habits, And Think Smarter (Or Just Less Stupidly) By Peter Hollins

Get the audiobook on Audible at https://bit.ly/brain-blunders

Show notes and/or episode transcripts are available at https://bit.ly/self-growth-home

Peter Hollins is a bestselling author, human psychology researcher, and a dedicated student of the human condition. Visit https://www.PeteHollins.com to pick up your FREE human nature cheat sheet: 7 surprising psychology studies that will change the way you think.

For narration information visit Russell Newton at https://bit.ly/VoW-home

For production information visit Newton Media Group LLC at https://bit.ly/newtonmg

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