Recent studies in cognitive psychology have challenged the traditional view that human memory operates as a passive recording device. Instead, researchers now propose that memory is a constructive process, wherein each act of recall involves rebuilding the past through the lens of present knowledge, beliefs, and expectations. This reconstructive nature explains why two witnesses to the same event often provide conflicting accounts, as their memories are filtered through distinct personal schemas. Furthermore, emotional arousal can enhance the vividness of certain details while impairing the accuracy of peripheral information, a phenomenon known as tunnel memory. These findings have significant implications for legal proceedings, where eyewitness testimony is often treated as reliable evidence. Understanding the malleability of memory urges caution in relying solely on subjective recollection, suggesting that corroborative evidence is essential for establishing factual accuracy.
❓ What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Memory is an exact replica of past events, unaffected by personal biases.
B. Emotional arousal always improves the accuracy of all remembered details.
C. Memory is a reconstructive process influenced by current knowledge and emotions, which poses challenges for legal reliance on eyewitness testimony.
D. Eyewitness testimony is generally more reliable than physical evidence in court.
✅ 正确答案
Memory is a reconstructive process influenced by current knowledge and emotions, which poses challenges for legal reliance on eyewitness testimony.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first