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Factors that distort memory

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Please help me to understand factors that might influence and create distortions of memory. Then explain how one of those factors might create a memory distortion. Provide an example to support your response. Finally, explain three consequences of memory distortion in the context of eyewitness testimony.

References:
1. Meegan, D. V. (2008). Neuroimaging techniques for memory detection: Scientific, ethical, and legal issues. The American Journal of Bioethics, 8(1), 9-20.
2. Schiller, D., Monfils, M. H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., Ledoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49-53.

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Solution Summary

DISCUSSES FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE OR IMPEDE MEMORY AND HOW THIS MAY IMPACT EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY.

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There are two major classes of errors could influence and create distortions of memory. These are errors are either of omission where someone forgets that an event happened at all and errors of commission where they remember something very differently than how it actually happened or they remember an event that never really happened at all. There are several factors that can influence and create distortions of memory. One of these factors is relatedness, where someone fills in gaps and remembers things that are similar to the events but didn't happen. The brain fills in these details based on general knowledge and "guessing" when it can't retrieve details. This happens subconsciously. This may cause someone to remember something that was implied but not actually stated or ...

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