The concept of core memories has been frequently discussed on social media recently, but not everyone fully understands what it entails.
In recent years, the idea of core memories has gained popularity in popular culture, largely thanks to the film Inside Out (released in 2015). This film presents core memories as the five most significant memories that shape who you are.
Specifically, certain events in a person’s life become pivotal, contributing to the formation of their personality, behavior, and self-awareness. Many social media users have shared videos and images from their past as a way to discuss their core memories.
However, a current issue is that science shows the concept of core memories is often misunderstood. Below are five misconceptions about core memories as outlined by The Conversation.
Core Memories Are Not Limited to Five
Autobiographical memories are memories about oneself and one’s life stored in long-term memory. This is considered a vast repository with no limits on capacity or storage.
Therefore, the significant memories in a person’s life are not confined to five or fifty. Different memories may resonate with people in specific contexts, allowing individuals to recall numerous memories at various times.
People can store many memories. (Image: Metamorworks).
Core Memories Do Not Shape Personality
While memories are important to individuals, personal memories do not necessarily shape or drive personality.
Psychologists and cognitive scientists state that autobiographical memories serve at least three main functions.
From a personal function perspective, we understand who we are through our past experiences.
From a social function perspective, recounting stories stored in memory helps us connect and bond with others.
Finally, from a directive function perspective, these memories help us learn lessons from the past and solve future problems.
Childhood Memories Are Not Always the Most Vivid
Contrary to popular descriptions in media, the most prominent autobiographical memories do not always include childhood memories.
People begin forming their first memories around the ages of 3 to 4, but at that time, their memory is still quite “weak.” During elementary school years, the number of memories people can recall is still limited.
Most significant and prominent memories tend to cluster in the early stages of adulthood. This phenomenon is referred to as the reminiscence bump.
This can be explained by the fact that early childhood memories are often very simple. Children’s interests are typically not as engaging as those that arise during adulthood.
The clearest experiences usually occur in late adolescence and early adulthood when a person’s self-awareness is more stable.
In reality, people often reminisce about their past lives, forming a mix of joyful and sorrowful longings for their history. The tendency to form core memories may stem from these feelings of nostalgia.
We Cannot Predict What Will Become a Core Memory
“New core memories” is a new term that refers to exciting and novel experiences. Events accompanied by emotions are easier to remember than those lacking distinctive characteristics. However, individuals do not have the power to choose their memories.
This means we cannot predict which events we will remember forever and which ones we will forget over time.
For the individuals involved, memories may carry different meanings at various stages of life.
Events that are significant to a person in the long run may be entirely ordinary at the time they occur. Conversely, events that are perceived as prominent may lead to forgetting many important details.
Core Memories Can Also Be Flawed
Sometimes, core memories are depicted as snapshots from the past, which we can capture and review immediately.
In reality, every memory can be altered, forgotten, or have minor details misremembered, even if that memory pertains to an important event. When individuals recall memories, they tend to remember the main content and some related details.
When “retrieving” past events, people must reconstruct that event. They need to piece together the main ideas and the details while filling in the gaps of forgotten information.
Each time a past event is recalled, individuals have the potential to alter details, create new emotions, and reinterpret the meaning of that event.
For example, you might happily recount joyful memories from your engagement with your beloved. However, as the relationship begins to fray, the process of memory reconstruction allows you to weave negative emotions into that memory.
