Reliability of memory

Reliability of memory refers to how accurately and consistently our memories reflect past events. It depends on factors like how well the information was initially encoded, stored, and retrieved. Our memories can be influenced by biases, stress, time, and external suggestions, which may lead to distortions or errors. A reliable memory provides a truthful account of events, but human memory isn’t perfect—it's reconstructive rather than exact. Understanding memory reliability helps us recognize that memories can sometimes be incomplete or altered, emphasizing the importance of corroborating important information through multiple sources.