Final answer:
Confabulation and 'recovered' memories are phenomena in memory where false or distorted memories are produced, and supposedly repressed memories are later recalled. These instances show that memories do not always reflect their accuracy due to factors like suggestibility and exposure to false information. Cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus has conducted significant research on false memories and the influence of additional information on memory recollection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confabulation refers to the process of producing false or distorted memories without the intention to deceive. On the other hand, 'recovered' memories are memories that were supposedly repressed or forgotten but later recalled, often through therapeutic techniques. These phenomena occur because memories are not like video recordings - they can be frail and prone to inaccuracies and distortions during the process of construction and reconstruction. One example is the misinformation effect, where exposure to inaccurate information can lead to the misremembering of an original event.
These instances of confabulation and 'recovered' memories demonstrate that memories do not always speak to their accuracy. Factors like suggestibility, exposure to false information, and the combination of old and new memories can contribute to the creation of false memories. Research by cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus has extensively studied false memories and the influence of additional information on memory recollection. The phenomenon of false memory syndrome, particularly in relation to memories of events without independent witnesses, has also gained attention.