Abstract
We experience thousands of events across childhood, and yet as adults we recall only a handful. Some might be “firsts” (our first ice cream, our first day at school), or significant life events (the birth of a sibling, moving house). Others are surprisingly trivial.
So, what do your earliest childhood memories say about you? Do they reflect your early skill for remembering, your interests, or your individual experiences?
The answer to all three questions is yes – but this is not the whole story. Although we sometimes see memory as a video camera, recording our lives accurately and without bias, this is a myth.
Instead, our childhood memories are intricately shaped by our family and culture.
So, what do your earliest childhood memories say about you? Do they reflect your early skill for remembering, your interests, or your individual experiences?
The answer to all three questions is yes – but this is not the whole story. Although we sometimes see memory as a video camera, recording our lives accurately and without bias, this is a myth.
Instead, our childhood memories are intricately shaped by our family and culture.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | The Conversation |
| Publisher | The Conversation Media Group |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Aug 2018 |