Thread:User talk:WaitingforGodot/Speaking of Cordelia Fine and irrationality/reply (9)

Actually, I have certain experience with the idea that memory formation and recall work similarly and reinforce each other. There are several instances (although, conveniently, I can't recall specific ones right now) where I've remembered a film quote incorrectly. Of course, the gist is right, just that specific wording is wrong - such as substituting "all the time" for "constantly" or something similar. Obviously, every time that is recalled, incorrectly, it is strengthened. So much so that even when watching the film again and realising that my recall of the quote was wrong (and even deciding to endeavor to remember it right this time) I still get it wrong at a later date. All the repeated incorrect recalls, which may number in the dozens or more, seem to have overridden the power of generating the correct memory, which may have been 2-3 times or so.

Similarly, it's a well known teaching fact that if someone comes with a misconception, it's important to address it thoroughly before bringing in a new fact. If you merely mention something correct to someone, they'll still go away believing their preconception.

It's like you have to chew through and destroy the existing memory before replacing it with a new one that's correct.