Reconstructive Memory

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about reconstructive memory, focusing in particular on: (i) how the actual reconstructive nature of memory differs from the ‘filing system’ of memory that is commonly thought to be representative; (ii) the role of engrams as a store of combined sensory data; (iii) a real case study of an individual demonstrating improper memory reconstruction as a result of an aneurism, as well as Alexander Luria’s ‘S’ case study, who was able to recall one hundred written numbers ten years after they were originally shown them.

About the lecturer

Dr Ashok Jansari is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. Dr Jansari’s research interests include memory disorders, prosopagnosia, executive functions, and synaesthesia. Dr Jansari is most famous for his research into prosopagnosia, having made numerous TV appearances, including on BBC1’s The One Show, as well as hosting his own ‘Neuro Talk’ YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAshokJansariNeuroTalk/featured

Some of Dr Jansari's recent publications include 'Acquired synaesthesia following 2C-B use' (2019), 'Using virtual reality to investigate multitasking ability in individuals with frontal lobe lesions' (2019), and 'Identification from CCTV: Assessing police super-recogniser ability to spot faces in a crown and susceptibility to change blindness' (2018).