A picture is worth a thousand lies: Using false photographs to create false childhood memories

Abstract

Because image-enhancing technology is readily available, people are frequently exposed to doctored images. However, in prior research on how adults can be led to report false childhood memories, subjects have typically been exposed to personalized and detailed narratives describing false events. Instead, we exposed 20 subjects to a false childhood event via a fake photograph and imagery instructions. Over three interviews, subjects thought about a photograph showing them on a hot air balloon ride and tried to recall the event by using guided-imagery exercises. Fifty percent of the subjects created complete or partial false memories. The results bear on ways in which false memories can be created and also have practical implications for those involved in clinical and legal settings.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.3758%2FBF03196318?LI=true

How fake pictures make real memories

How fake images change our memory and behaviour

By Rose Eveleth

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Rogues gallery

Doctored images emerged as Hurricane Sandy hit New York earlier this year. History shows this is far from the first time people have tried to manipulate our minds in this way.

Doctored images can affect what we eat, how we vote and even our childhood recollections. The question scientists are asking is why there’s nothing we can do to stop it.Exhibition shows photo tricks

An exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is showcasing the history of altering photographs.

The year was a memorable one – looking back at the unforgettable images over the past 12 months, you might think of apocalyptic-looking clouds over Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy, or Mitt Romney’s children mistakenly standing in a line spelling out the word “MONEY”, or even the winning US Powerball lottery ticket that became the most shared picture on Facebook. There’s only one problem. All these images are fake.