Constructive Memory
What is Constructive Memory?
Constructive memory is the brain’s process of actively rebuilding past experiences rather than retrieving exact copies. Instead of functioning like a recording, memory is reconstructed each time we recall it, often influenced by prior knowledge, emotions, and external information. This process helps us fill in gaps, but can also lead to distortions or false memories.
The Basic Idea
Imagine you’re visiting your friend Amy, and she’s telling you all about the best trip she went on as a kid: Disneyland! She vividly describes her favorite moments from the trip—eating the buttery popcorn, shooting down robots in Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters ride, meeting Mickey Mouse (her idol!), and the magic of the “Magic Happens” parade at the end of the night. Amy describes each part in so much detail that it’s almost like you were there! You ask to see some photos, so she pulls out her family photo album.
As you look through the album, you see pictures of Amy eating popcorn, on the rides, and watching the parade… but there are no pictures of her and Mickey Mouse. There is a photo of her sister with Mickey, but none of Amy herself. Amy asks her mom where the pictures are, and to both of your surprise, her mom tells her she was too scared to meet Mickey Mouse up close.
Amy constructed the memory of meeting Mickey Mouse over time. She may remember the picture of her sister or have heard stories from other families who have visited Disneyland, and these ideas became combined with her real memories of the trip. As our brain relies on constructive processes that are prone to error and distortion, our memory is not a literal reproduction of the past.1 Our perception and memory of the past can be influenced by strong emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and new information. Our brains like complete memories, so if there are gaps, our minds will unconsciously use our imagination to fill them in.2 Amy wasn’t lying to you—it was a false memory, and she really thought she met Mickey Mouse!
“Time and memory are true artists; they remould reality nearer to the heart’s desire.”
— John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist, and founder of pragmatism.3
About the Author
Emilie Rose Jones
Emilie currently works in Marketing & Communications for a non-profit organization based in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her Masters of English Literature at UBC in 2021, where she focused on Indigenous and Canadian Literature. Emilie has a passion for writing and behavioural psychology and is always looking for opportunities to make knowledge more accessible.
