What can cause memory distortions?

Memory distortions can arise from the influence of suggestion and misinformation because when individuals are exposed to misleading information after an event, they may unintentionally incorporate that incorrect information into their recollections. This can occur through various means, such as leading questions, media coverage, or discussions with others. Psychological research has shown that the way questions are framed can significantly alter a person's memory of an event. For example, using different verbs to describe an accident can lead people to recall the event differently. This phenomenon highlights how malleable human memory is, making it susceptible to alterations based on external influences.

In contrast, consistent recall of accurate details generally leads to stronger and more reliable memories, while emotional interference during encoding can impact memory formation but does not necessarily distort existing memories. Additionally, separate processing of sensory and long-term memory refers to the different systems used to handle information but does not directly cause distortions; it is more about the pathways through which memories are formed and retrieved.