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Cryptomnesia is a cognitive bias wherein a person mistakenly believes that a thought, idea, or piece of information they remember is original, when, in fact, it has been unconsciously retrieved from memory. This phenomenon occurs when the source of the remembered information is forgotten, leading to the misattribution of its origin. Cryptomnesia is often linked to the reinforcement of memories after the fact, where the distinction between self-generated ideas and memories sourced from others or previous experiences blurs.
Cryptomnesia operates by disrupting the normal memory retrieval process. When individuals retrieve information, they should ideally recall its context and source. However, in cryptomnesia, the retrieval is partial or flawed—contextual details or the original source are not correctly recalled, making the information appear novel. Memory reinforcement after the fact can solidify these incorrect associations, leading to the conviction that the ideas are original.
The implications of cryptomnesia can range from benign to problematic. On a personal level, individuals might experience embarrassment upon discovering their error. In professional settings, it can lead to allegations of plagiarism or intellectual property disputes. Cryptomnesia influences creativity, academia, and industries reliant on innovation by obscuring the line between inspiration and imitation.
To counteract cryptomnesia, individuals and organizations can implement strategies such as keeping detailed notes or journals that include source attributions, engaging in peer reviews to catch unintended copying, and fostering an environment where ideas can be freely discussed and sources transparently shared. Developing a habit of critically evaluating the origins of one's thoughts can also help mitigate this bias.
Critics of cryptomnesia suggest that its interpretations often rely on subjective judgments regarding the originality of actions or ideas, making it difficult to empirically study. Some argue that cryptomnesia might be a convenient explanation for alleged instances of plagiarism or intellectual theft without clear evidence. Moreover, its identification can sometimes lead to unnecessary self-censorship, stifling creativity under the fear of unintentional imitation.
Cryptomnesia: Delineating inadvertent plagiarism
Brown, A. S., & Murphy, D. R. (1989)
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
How Source Misattributions Arise from Verbal Rehearsal
Marsh, R. L., & Landau, J. D., & Hicks, J. L. (1997)
Journal of Memory and Language