false memory
/ˌfɔːls ˈmeməri/
a recollection that seems real but is fabricated or distorted
false memory in a sentence
“Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable due to false memory formation.”
Origin of false memory
Latin falsus deceived, erroneous + memoria memory
Related Words
cryptomnesia
a forgotten memory returning without recognition as such
source confusion
misattributing the source of a memory
leveling and sharpening
losing details while emphasizing others when retelling
misinformation effect
post-event information altering memory of the original event
reminiscence bump
enhanced recall of events from adolescence and early adulthood
telescoping effect
perceiving recent events as more remote and remote events as more recent