Lying on Facebook may implant false memories: experts

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Dec 29 2014 | 5:30 PM IST
Lying on Facebook may cause people to develop false memories, experts warn after a new study found that a fifth of young people lie on their online profiles to impress friends.
Researchers said a fifth of young participants admitted their online profile bears little resemblance to reality, and that their recollection of past events has been distorted by their own fabrications.
In a poll, young adults, aged between 18 and 24, said they frequently lie about their relationships, promotions at work and holidays, The Telegraph reported.
According to psychologist Dr Richard Sherry, a founding member of the Society for Neuropsychoanalysis, social media has the power to "undermine the coherence between our real, lived lives and memories."
"The dark side of this social conformity is when we deeply lose ourselves or negate what authentically and compassionately feels to be 'us'; to the degree that we no longer recognise the experience, our voice, the memory or even the view of ourselves," said Sherry.
The study was commissioned by online journal repository Pencourage.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 29 2014 | 5:30 PM IST

Next Story