Why we remember details even years later – the psychology behind it!

Why we remember details even years later – the psychology behind it!

The Bonn police are on the hunt for justice! Over 160 tips have already been received about Claudia Wilbert's mysterious case - an astonishing number for such an old cold case! What lies behind these memories that are still alive even after years? Psychologists study the fascinating mechanisms of our memory and show how emotions and stress shape our memories.

According to experts, our memory doesn't just work like a memory, but rather selectively. We forget everyday things while emotional experiences and extraordinary events remain in our memory. Stress can even help to store these memories even more clearly. But be careful! The danger of false memories hovers like a shadow over the investigation. When witnesses talk to others or read media reports after an incident, they may unconsciously insert false information into their memories. This creates the frightening possibility of someone being reminded of an event that never happened!

The shadows of false memories

How often do investigations go wrong because of such memory errors? There is no reliable number, but the tragedy of the Jennifer Thompson case from the USA shows how dangerous false memories can be. She identified an innocent man as her rapist, who was subsequently convicted. Only years later did DNA tests prove his innocence. Such cases shine a harsh light on the fragility of our memories and the potential consequences for the justice system.