Sleep Boosts Memory but Can also Implant False Memories

A group of psychologists from the University of York in the U.K. has discovered through experiments that sleeping after studying can solidify memories. However, as outlined in their publication in the journal Royal Society Open Science, sleep can also occasionally result in the formation of false memories.

Recent research has highlighted the fallibility of human memory, challenging the perceived accuracy of recollections, particularly in eyewitness accounts during criminal trials. This has prompted a deeper exploration of memory retention and recall mechanisms to better understand memory processes.

Memory Study with 488 Participants Reveals Insights into Sleep’s Influence on Word Recall After a 12-Hour Interval

In a new study involving 488 volunteers, participants studied a list of related words and attempted to recall them 12 hours later. To investigate the impact of sleep on retention, some volunteers were allowed to sleep between viewing the original list and the memory retention testing.

The findings revealed that individuals who had the opportunity to sleep during this interval demonstrated improved memory retention. However, they were also more prone to falsely believing that certain related words were part of the original list. For instance, when presented with a list containing “nurse, hospital, and surgery,” participants who had slept were more likely to incorrectly recall the word “doctor” as part of the list.

Memory’s Evolutionary Purpose

The researchers propose that this discovery indicates the purpose of memory may not solely be to provide individuals with an accurate account of past events but rather to offer a mechanism for retrieving the essence of information. As humans evolved, establishing connections and associations during the learning process became crucial for better readiness against potential threats in the future.

Additionally, the research team observed that the time of day when volunteers were questioned about the list influenced recall accuracy. Both groups exhibited more errors and false recalls when questioned in the evening.

Read the original article on: Medical X press

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