Are core memories real? The science behind 5 common myths

Penny Van Bergen; Celia Harris

Are core memories real? The science behind 5 common myths

Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article

Abstract

What are your core memories from childhood? Can you lock in a core memory by choice? What do your core memories say about you?

The notion of “core memories” has become well known in popular culture. First seen in the 2015 movie Inside Out, core memories are thought to be your five or so most important memories. The idea is that some specific events are so important, experiencing them instantly shapes your personality, behaviours and sense of self.

Thousands of TikTok users have made “core memory” posts about salient memories (often from childhood), with more than 880 million views worldwide. Typically these posts have a strong element of nostalgia and focus on small moments: watching Saturday morning cartoons, holding hands with a schoolyard crush, or splashing through the rain.

So, do core memories actually exist? While we do use memories to construct a sense of self, and these memories support our psychological wellbeing, memory science suggests the notion of a “core memory” is faulty in five key ways.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
Publisher	The Conversation Media Group
Publication status	Published - 17 Oct 2022
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Access to Document

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 1.17 MBLicence: CC BY-ND

https://theconversation.com/are-core-memories-real-the-science-behind-5-common-myths-191942Licence: CC BY-ND

Cite this

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