Cognitive biases have a big impact on how we remember things and can even create false memories. Our brains don’t work like video recorders. Instead, they are affected by many things that can change how we remember events.

One major bias is called confirmation bias. This happens when we tend to remember things that match our existing beliefs, while forgetting things that don’t. For example, if someone feels like others often misunderstand them, they might clearly remember times when this happened. At the same time, they might forget times when things went well.

Another bias is known as the availability heuristic. This affects our memories based on how strong or emotional an event was. We are more likely to remember dramatic events. So, we might overlook smaller, everyday experiences. This can make us think that dramatic events happen more often than they really do.

There’s also the misinformation effect. This shows how information we hear after an event can change how we remember it. If we listen to someone else’s version of a story, we might mix up their details with our own memories. This often happens with eyewitness accounts, where leading questions can create false memories.

The context effect is another important factor. The place we are in or how we feel can change what we remember. For example, if someone feels anxious during a stressful experience, they might remember it differently, maybe thinking they were in more danger than they actually were.

In short, cognitive biases act like filters that change how we remember things. They can lead us to remember events inaccurately or form false memories. This can be very important, especially in court cases or personal relationships, where what we remember needs to be accurate. Understanding these biases helps us see the complexities of how we think and remember.