Many people liken recalling memories to accessing mental filing cabinets, but our memories are actually more disjointed. Memory science defines how memory works as a dynamic form of complex information processing, which relies on active reconstruction rather than simple retrieval. This reality means human recall is intrinsically malleable, making memories susceptible to suggestion, challenging its role in defining personal identity, and underscoring the necessity of protecting against the science of misinformation.

To discover ways to use memories to cultivate a happy life, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Gillian Murphy, leader of the Everyday Cognition Lab at the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork.

Gillian explains how memory works, the science of information processing, recall, and the risks and benefits associated with trauma therapy. Her book, Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember, describes the malleability and vulnerability of human memory.

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Dr. Gillian Murphy—How Memory Works:

• Examples of how memory makes us who we are. {2:31}
• Human recall is malleable and open to suggestions. {5:50}
• Do information processing experts exist? {12:29}
• How memory works & how to implant a memory. {23:18}
• Protect yourself from the science of misinformation. {28:16}
• How to use memories to live a happier life. {31:44}
• The places where memory science and clinical psychology collide. {36:55}

Meet Our Guest:

Dr Gillian Murphy is an Associate Professor at the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork, Ireland, where she leads the Everyday Cognition Lab.

Her research investigates memory and attention in real-world settings, examining topics such as how we form false memories, why we fall for misinformation, and how technology interacts with cognitive processes.

Dr. Murphy is also interested in public perceptions of experimental psychology, especially the ethics of deceptive research practices. She is a Fulbright Scholar, and her work has been funded by the Irish Research Council, the Health Research Board, and Google. 

“We don’t think about how we remember things. We kind of take it for granted.”

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