Definition
Memory is reconstructive. Each recall reassembles the memory from stored elements plus current context — which means memories can be subtly altered every time they are revisited.
Why it matters
Understanding reconstruction protects against confusing vividness with accuracy, and it explains why two people’s memories of the same event can diverge honestly.
The Science
Reconstruction is a well-established feature of memory. Loftus and colleagues have documented how easily memories can be modified through suggestion, framing, and repetition.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats memory as a living process, not a recording. That is both its vulnerability and its capacity for healing.
Clinical Implications
Therapists must be careful with suggestion. What is offered during recall can become part of the memory.
Practical Application
Hold your own memories with some humility. What feels vivid may not be exactly accurate. This is not a flaw; it is how memory works.
References
- 1.Loftus EF. Planting misinformation in the human mind. Learn Mem. 2005;12(4):361–366.