Reconstructive Memory - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reconstructive memory is a concept in psychology that describes how our memories are not exact copies of what we originally experienced. Instead, when we remember something, we often piece together bits of information and sometimes fill in gaps with what we think is likely or makes sense, based on our past knowledge and experiences. This means that our memories can sometimes be changed or influenced by new information or ideas. For students studying GCSE Psychology, it's important to understand that reconstructive memory helps explain why different people can remember the same event in different ways and why our memories can sometimes be inaccurate or distorted.